Oral cancer

Current Care Summary
Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Dental Society Apollonia
22.5.2019

Current Care Guideline «Suusyöpä»1 and Summary «Suusyöpä»2 in Finnish

Incidence of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), especially of oral tongue, is increasing and survival is poor. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), e.g. leukoplakia, erythroplakia, proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, lichen planus or lichenoid reactions, may precede OSCC. The main risk factors for OSCC are smoking and alcohol consumption. Fresh vegetables, fruit and fiber rich diet may provide protection from OSCC. Regular clinical examination of oral mucosa is essential to the early detection of OSCC and OPMD. Treatment of OSCC comprises either surgery alone or combined with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Patients with OPMD or treated OSCC need life-long follow-up.

Tuula Salo (Chair)

Jaana Rautava

Jussi Hirvonen

Antti Mäkitie

Mirka Niskanen

Marja Pöllänen

Kauko Saarilahti

Maria Siponen

Tero Soukka