Oral oncology
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Recently the importance of posttraumatic growth (PTG), a phenomenon of positive psychological growth beyond baseline values, has been discovered in the field of oncology. An evidence based review of the literature regarding PTG was performed, both to support its understanding and to consider its application within the research field of oral cavity (OC) cancer. A Pubmed, Medline, PsycINFO search from the earliest date until April 2010 was carried out. ⋯ Socio-demographic factors, stressor characteristics and coping strategies influence and predict the development PTG. In the past decade an increasing interest in the concept of PTG in the field of oncology has emerged. This evidence based review presents PTG to the research community in the field of OC cancer, appraises its modification capacity of the treatment outcome in other cancer research fields and hypothesizes its eventual benefit in the field of OC cancer research.
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Pain may be the initial symptom in oral cancer, and is a common complaint both in patients awaiting treatment and in those already in treatment. However, little has been published in the literature on the management of oral cancer pain. Effective pain control requires a multimodal approach in which pharmacological management based on the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder continues to play an essential role. ⋯ The development of new treatment modalities provides additional options, though further clinical research is required. There is no evidence of the efficacy of non-pharmacological methods such as acupuncture or transcutaneous nerve stimulation in the management of oral cancer pain. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have also been suggested, but their results have not been quantified.
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Survivin belongs to the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) gene family and inhibits apoptosis. Besides its role as IAP, Survivin recently appears to function as a subunit of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) for regulating cell division with other CPC proteins including Aurora-B and INCENP. Nuclear Survivin is suspected to control cell division, whereas cytoplasmic Survivin is considered cytoprotective. ⋯ Notably, HNSCC cases with nuclear Survivin and Aurora-B expression exhibited marked malignant behaviors. Interestingly, both Survivin and Aurora-B knockdown inhibited cell growth and tumorsphere formation. Overall suggest that nuclear Survivin may be involved in tumor progression together with Aurora-B, and that Survivin and Aurora-B can be useful diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
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This study aimed to determine the type, accuracy and content of information available on the internet regarding head and neck cancer. The search engine Google was used to generate a list of the top 100 websites about head and neck cancer. The websites were evaluated using the DISCERN instrument and the JAMA benchmarks and whether the site displayed the Health on the Net seal was also recorded. ⋯ A wide variety of types of information are available on the internet regarding head and neck cancer with variable accuracy levels based on both Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks and DISCERN. The onus lies with the practitioner to guide the patient regarding scientific reliability of information and to direct the patient in filtering the information sourced. The inclusion of quality of life related information is currently lacking and should be addressed to ensure a more comprehensive understanding for patients of treatment options.
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Oral and head and neck cancer carries an associated death rate five years after diagnosis and treatment that is high, essentially at a 50% level. In association with the dying process and the transition to death is a wide array of issues and considerations including the physical and emotional needs of the patient as well as associated caregivers. ⋯ Psychosocial and spiritual needs are to be addressed as well as the necessary components of preparation for death as to make a "good death". Communicating the status of the terminally-ill patient to the patient themselves and their family when cure or remission is no longer possible and the consideration of hospice care, palliation and issues of grieving all contribute to considerations in overall management at the end of life.