Abstract
If oral cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, 5-year survival prognosis can be particularly poor. The existing literature indicates that patient anxiety is a contributing factor to patient delay in oral cancer diagnosis.
From Volume 47, Issue 2, February 2020 | Pages 121-126
If oral cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, 5-year survival prognosis can be particularly poor. The existing literature indicates that patient anxiety is a contributing factor to patient delay in oral cancer diagnosis.
Despite efforts to reduce predisposing risk factors, incidence rates for head and neck cancer in the UK have increased by 30% since the early 1990s and are projected to rise by a further 33% over the next 20 years.1 It has been suggested that there is poorer survival from cancer in the United Kingdom than other European countries; this can be attributed to more advanced cancer progression at initial presentation.2 Unfortunately, oral cancer is often diagnosed late, which results in higher mortality rates. If oral cancer is identified at an advanced stage, when tumour size is large and there is lymph node involvement or metastases, 5-year survival rate can be as low as 20%.3 In contrast, early detection of oral cancer may limit the extent of treatment required and improve survival rates. The 5-year survival rate has been found to be higher than 90% if a diagnosis is made in the initial stages of the disease.4
Thank you for visiting Dental Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included