A Multidisciplinary Approach in Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Report
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Abstract
Multidisciplinary team conferences (MDTC) significantly improve outcomes in complex malignancies such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, diagnostic delays in early-stage oral malignancies remain a substantial obstacle to optimal prognosis. A 28-year-old male with a history of substance use presented with persistent, severe tongue pain previously misdiagnosed as oral lichen planus and treated empirically for four months without symptom relief. Clinical and histopathological reassessment confirmed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the dorsal tongue. The patient underwent oncologic surgical resection, neck dissection, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Post-treatment recovery was characterized by severe functional limitations, psychological distress, and substance relapse. Comprehensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation—encompassing oral medicine specialists, head and neck oncologists, speech therapists, nutritionists, prosthodontists, and psychiatric support—facilitated long-term functional recovery, addiction cessation, and a disease-free state at the 2-year follow-up. This case highlights the vital role of oral medicine specialists within the MDTC framework, particularly in accurate differential diagnosis, reducing diagnostic delay, managing oral complications during cancer therapy, and orchestrating comprehensive long-term supportive care. Keywords: Head and neck neoplasms; Squamous cell carcinoma; Diagnostic delay; Multidisciplinary care team; Oral medicine.
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12. Rupel K, Biasotto M, Gobbo M, Poropat A, Bogdan Preda MT, Borruso G, et al. Knowledge and awareness of oral cancer: A cross-sectional survey in Trieste, Italy. Front Oral Health. 2023;4:1056900.
2. Chang YL, Lin CY, Kang CJ, Liao CT, Chung CF, Yen TC, et al. Association between multidisciplinary team care and the completion of treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A cohort population-based study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2021;30(2):e13367.
3. Liao CT, Kang CJ, Lee LY, Hsueh C, Lin CY, Fan KH, et al. Association between multidisciplinary team care approach and survival rates in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Head Neck. 2016;38(Suppl 1):E1544-53.
4. Lo Nigro C, Denaro N, Merlotti A, Merlano M. Head and neck cancer: improving outcomes with a multidisciplinary approach. Cancer Manag Res. 2017;9:363-71.
5. Licitra L, Keilholz U, Tahara M, Lin JC, Chomette P, Ceruse P, et al. Evaluation of the benefit and use of multidisciplinary teams in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol. 2016;59:73-9.
6. Scott SE, Grunfeld EA, Main J, McGurk M. Patient delay in oral cancer: a qualitative study of patients’ experiences. Psychooncology. 2006;15(6):474-85.
7. da Cunha Lima AM, Meira IA, Soares MS, Bonan PR, Melo CB, Dalle Piagge CS. Delay in diagnosis of oral cancer: a systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2021;26(6):e815-24.
8. Jafari A, Najafi SH, Moradi F, Kharazifard MJ, Khami MR. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. J Dent (Tehran). 2013;10(3):265-72.
9. Mauceri R, Bazzano M, Coppini M, Tozzo P, Panzarella V, Campisi G. Diagnostic delay of oral squamous cell carcinoma and the fear of diagnosis: A scoping review. Front Psychol. 2022;13:1009080.
10. Schmidt-Westhausen AM, Bornstein MM. Oral medicine: a specialty placed between medicine and dentistry. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2011;54(9):1061-5.
11. Akbulut N, Altan A. Early detection and multidisciplinary approach to oral cancer patients. In: Prevention, Detection and Management of Oral Cancer. IntechOpen; 2018.
12. Rupel K, Biasotto M, Gobbo M, Poropat A, Bogdan Preda MT, Borruso G, et al. Knowledge and awareness of oral cancer: A cross-sectional survey in Trieste, Italy. Front Oral Health. 2023;4:1056900.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 13, No 3 (Summer 2026) | |
| Section | Case Report(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Head and neck neoplasms; Squamous cell carcinoma; Diagnostic delay; Multidisciplinary care team; Oral medicine. | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
How to Cite
1.
Tahmasebinasab M, Tonkaboni A. A Multidisciplinary Approach in Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Report. J Craniomaxillofac Res. 2026;13(3):393-397.
