Oral Cancer Doctor: Who Treats Oral Cancer?
A head & neck surgical oncologist, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon trained in cancer, is the ideal physician to guide you in your oral cancer treatment.
Which Doctor Is Best for Oral Cancer?
A head & neck surgical oncologist, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon trained in cancer, is the ideal physician to guide you in your oral cancer treatment.
Who Treats Oral Cancer? The Multidisciplinary Team
Oral cancer is a team disease, so you’re usually not treated by just one physician but by a multidisciplinary tumour board. Key Specialists for You Include:
Oral Cancer Specialist
Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist: Primary surgeon who does the tumour extirpation, margin clearance, and lymph node dissection in case of nodal involvement.
Reconstructive / Microvascular Surgeon: A plastic or microvascular surgeon who performs free-flap reconstruction of the tongue, jaw, or lining of the mouth after surgery.
Radiation Oncologist: Oversees radiation therapy post-surgery (or chemoradiation therapy if surgery is not primary).
Medical Oncologist: Provides systemic treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy).
Dentist/Periodontist: May be the first to identify suspicious sores or lesions during a regular check-up, and is essential to oral rehabilitation before and after treatment.
Oral Cancer Care in Pune
Looking for an oral cancer specialist in Pune? Prolife Cancer Centre & Research Institute, Market Yard, Gultekdi, offers oral cancer evaluation and surgery under Dr Sumit Shah, Surgical Oncologist. Book an appointment or call +91-9607079019.
Related Reading
- Oral Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Prevention
- Is Mouth Cancer Curable? Stages & Treatment
- Signs Oral Cancer Has Spread
- What Happens After Mouth Cancer Surgery?
- Oral Cancer Treatment Without Surgery
- Oral Cancer Prevention and Screening
FAQ
Which doctor treats oral cancer?
A head & neck surgical oncologist, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon trained in cancer, is the ideal physician to guide you in your oral cancer treatment.
Is oral cancer treated by one doctor or a team?
Oral cancer is a team disease, so you’re usually not treated by just one physician but by a multidisciplinary tumour board.
What does a head and neck surgical oncologist do?
They are the primary surgeon who does the tumour extirpation, margin clearance, and lymph node dissection in case of nodal involvement.
Who does reconstruction after oral cancer surgery?
A plastic or microvascular surgeon performs free-flap reconstruction of the tongue, jaw, or lining of the mouth after surgery.
Who gives radiation and chemotherapy for oral cancer?
A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy post-surgery (or chemoradiation therapy if surgery is not primary). A medical oncologist provides systemic treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy).
Can a dentist detect oral cancer?
Yes. A dentist or periodontist may be the first to identify suspicious sores or lesions during a regular check-up, and it is essential to oral rehabilitation before and after treatment.
