PATIENT EDUCATION: Counseling of oral cancer patients

Abstract

The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize key aspects of care for patients with advanced oral cancer, metastatic to the head and neck region. Patients with advanced oral cancer are treated with multimodal treatment. Surgical intervention leads to limitation in speech and swallowing abilities while adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis, cystitis, dehydration, nephrotoxicity, skin dermatitis, myelosuppression, and nutritional deficiencies leading to weight loss. These toxicities could be overcome through self-care measures practiced by the patient. Oncology nurses could impart knowledge about self-care measures via patient and family counseling.

Keywords

• advanced oral cancer
• head and neck cancer
• counseling
• self-care measures