[Oral and maxillofacial surgery: mandatory link in the chain of head and neck oncology patient care]

Abstract

The incidence of head and neck tumors in The Netherlands is rising, mainly due to increasing numbers of oral and pharyngeal carcinomas. Notwithstanding good opportunities for early detection by inspection and palpation, there appears to be a tendency to detect cancer of the head and neck in its later stages. Dentists and physicians, therefore, need to become aware of the early signs of head and neck cancer, and to keep their knowledge up to date. The oral and maxillofacial oncologist operates both as a gatekeeper specialist and as a participant in the multidisciplinary head and neck oncology team, treating patients with referrals from other disciplines. His input in the team is substantial because of his specific knowledge of treatment of tumors, and also on account of his expertise in the possibilities for reconstruction and functional restoration of defects following ablative surgery.