Maxillectomy-surgical resection and prosthodontic rehabilitation

Oral cancer ranks among the top three in the country and is major health problem. In India, people affected generally belong to the low-income groups due to a prevalence of habits such as tobacco chewing and lack of awareness and capability to afford the diagnostic and treatment modalities Oral cancer is defined as the cancer of lips, mouth and tongue. The management of cancerous lesions in maxilla and mandible is difficult due to their proximity to vital structures, especially in cases of maxilla wherein due to its strategic anatomic location, comprising of the skull base and its related structures, any radical treatment is deferred. Moreover, the anatomic complexities and the cancellous nature of the bone make it very difficult to achieve wide and clear surgical margins resulting in poor prognosis. The comprehensive management comprises of multidisciplinary team effort comprising of surgical resection of the tumour along with the prosthetic rehabilitation to restore the lost form and function. It may also include chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Keywords: Oral cancer, Maxillectomy, Surgical resection, Weber Ferguson, Prosthetic rehabilitation.