Stuart was diagnosed with tongue cancer in May 2012 after
suffering with a number of symptoms for a year which four of...
Oral cancer is relatively rare in the United Kingdom. Currently,
about 4000 people will be diagnosed and treated for oral,
pharyngeal, lip, or salivary gland tumours. The status of the
oral cavity in the cancer patient is no different from that
found in the general population: poorly maintained dentition,
moderate to advanced periodontal disease, ill-fitting denture
prostheses, and related soft tissue pathologies associated with
tobacco and alcohol use and nutritional and/or general hygiene
neglect. Reference 1 Many of these patients will be treated with
radiation therapy to the head and neck area. A substantial
number will be subject to clinically significant short and long-
term oral adverse effects. Severe problems in the mouth can
occur after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Most
patients being treated for head and neck cancer and many
patients with other cancers also experie