This is particulariy true for oral cancer diagnosed at an eariy stage, which is often treated with surgery or radiation alone."*'^"
For late-stage disease requiring CT or a combination of
surgery and CRT, the results remain promising but are still in need of improvement."* Individual patient factors,
tumour features, lymph node involvement, and metastasis
have to be taken into account for optimal treatment
effectiveness.*-^' Comorbidities and both short- and longterm
treatment side effects must also be examined when
creating individual patient therapies."-^'*-^''" The purpose of
monitoring patients following therapy is to a) provide care
for the sequelae of treatment side effects; b) to coordinate
care between specialists and primary care providers to
ensure that both oral and overall health needs are met; and
c) to prevent and identify recurrence or the development of a second primary tumour."^ To provide satisfactory care to
this complex group of patients, it is important that dental
hygienists understand the various treatment modalities
for oral cancer and their possible effects. The patient's
hygiene maintenance schedule will result in the dental
hygienist's being one of the dental health professionals
who is frequently in contact with the patient. Continued
surveillance is essential in order to reduce the risk of
secondary oral cancers and assist in improving a patient's
quality of life and overall survival.*