Oral Cancers Health Article

Coping with cancer treatment

Cancer of any type is a psychologically distressful journey from the time of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Coping with the side effects of treatment both physically and emotionally is a challenge to the patient, the family and the medical team. Oral cancers are further complicated by the fact that surgery most often leads to disfigurement which may be devastating in a society where importance is attached to physical appearance. Reconstruction surgeries or facial prostheses may be of potential use and the cancer care team may advise on this issue. Laryngectomy or removal of the voice box leaves the person without speech, and breathing through stoma (in the neck). A stoma cover helps in hiding the mucus that the stoma secretes and also serves as a filter in the absence of nose's natural filter. The odors from the stoma can be prevented by use of cologne, and by avoiding strongly scented foods such as garlic. Studies reveal that lack of normal speech has a serious impact on sexual activity in couples. In addition to laryngectomy, surgery on the jaw, plate or tongue can also disrupt speech. These problems need to be discussed with the cancer care team or contact organizations such as the American Cancer Society who could provide relevant information on coping with specific issues on oral cancers.

Side effects of chemotherapy such as fatigue and hair loss (alopecia) may affect the quality of life in a patient. A wig may be used for cosmetic purposes that can hide the hair loss. Studies have shown that patients may gradually regain their health after chemotherapy if they abstain from smoking and drinking.

Clinical trials

Evaluation of a potential treatment method for a disease on aselected patient population is called a clinical trial. Some of the ongoing clinical trials include:

• Paclitaxel and Cisplatin for Stage III and IV of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity following radio-therapy.
• Phase I study of intratumoral EGFR antisense DNA and DC chol liposomes in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity.
• Phase I immunotoxin therapy (PE38 immunotoxin) in treating patients with advanced lip and oral cavity cancer.
• Phase III megestrol acetate administration to patients undergoing cancer treatment for lip, oral cavity, and oropharyngeal cancers. This drug improves appetite and thus may prevent weight loss in cancer patients.
• Phase I combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in treating Stage III/IV lip, oral cavity, and oropharyngeal cancer. The drug tested is docetaxel.

Resources regarding these clinical trials, as well as many others regarding oral cancers, including any recruiting of patients for the trial are available at <ClinicalTrials.gov.> which is a service of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.