Soft Tissue Management and Prosthetic Rehabilitation in a Tongue Cancer Patient

Abstract

One major challenge in treating head and neck oncologic patients is to achieve an acceptable recovery of physiologic functions compatible with the complete tumor excision. However, after tumor resection, some patients present a surgically altered anatomy incompatible with prosthetic rehabilitation, unless some soft tissue correction is carried out. The aim of the present study is to describe the overall mandibular prosthetic rehabilitation of a postoncologic patient focusing on the possibility of soft tissue correction as a part of the treatment. A 72-year-old woman, who undergone a hemiglossectomy for squamous cell carcinoma several years before, was referred to our department needing a new prosthesis. The patient presented partial mandibular edentulism, defects in tongue mobility, and a bridge of scar tissue connecting one side of the tongue to the alveolar ridge. A diode laser (980 nm) was used to remove the fibrous scar tissue. After reestablishing a proper vestibular depth and soft tissue morphology, two implants were placed in the interforaminal region of the mandible to support an overdenture.

Prosthetic Management of Segmentally Resected Mandible and Partial Glossectomy: A Case Report

“…According to the international literature data, oral cancer represents the eighth most common cancer worldwide, with a constantly higher incidence among men. Oral cancer patients often require a multidisciplinary approach, including surgical resection of the tumor and a series of complementary therapies aiming to full rehabilitation of the patients [3].…”

“…When bolus is ready to be swallowed, tongue guides the food into the buccal vestibule and the floor of the mouth [2]. However, altered anatomy due to surgery of tumor resection makes patients inharmonious with prosthetic rehabilitation, unless and until some correction of soft tissue is done [3]. Tongue prosthesis is important for the rehabilitation of Glossectomy cases for establishing the contact of tongue and hard palate which is necessary for close to the normal functions.…”

Implant-Based Prosthetic Rehabilitation with Diode Laser-Assissted Mouth Floor Releasing After Marginal Mandibulectomy: Case Report

“…Bu amaçla, Romeo ve ark., ağız içi kanser cerrahisi sonrası dil ve alveolar kret arasında oluşan fibrotik skar dokusunun kaldırılmasında 980 nm dalga boyunda diyot lazer kullandıklarını, cerrahinin hemen sonrasında ise hastanın dil hareketlerini serbestçe yaptığını bildirmişlerdir. 20 Lazer cerrahisinin en önemli avantajlarından biri de operasyon sırasındaki hemorajiyi kontrol etmesi ve hekime daha iyi bir görüş alanı sunması-dır. Ayrıca, lazer cerrahisiyle doku manipülasyonu kolaylaşarak operasyon süresi kısalmakta, cerrahi sonrasında ise hastanın ekstra bir hemostaz gereksinimine ihtiyaç duyulmamaktadır.…”

Profile of cancer patients requiring dental and oral-maxillofacial prostheses in a Brazilian subpopulation

“…Prosthetic treatment is indicated for the recovery of lost oral functions and an improvement in physical appearance, enabling patients to participate in daily activities with greater confidence ( 9 ). The absence of teeth not replaced by a prosthesis also exerts a negative impact on the quality of life of cancer patients ( 10 ).…”