Review of the Literature on Oral Cancer: Epidemiology, Management and Evidence-based Traditional Medicine Treatment
Mfutu Mana Charly
Faculty of Dental Medicine, Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sekele Issouradi Jean-PauI
Faculty of Dental Medicine, Service of Prosthodontics, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua *
Faculty of Science, Structural Biology and Chemo-informatics Unit, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Situakibanza Nani-Tuma Hippolyte
Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kamangu Ntambwe Erick
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Paul Bobe Alifi
Faculty of Dental Medicine, Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nzudjom Foche Adelin
Faculty of Dental Medicine, Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Monizi Mawunu
Polytechnic Institute of Kimpa Vita University, Uige, Republic of Angola.
Emmanuel Kitete Mulongo
Faculty of Science, Structural Biology and Chemo-informatics Unit, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tukutuku Musombo Nanou Anne
Department of Dentistry, Lingwala Referral Health Centre, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pius T. Mpiana
Faculty of Science, Structural Biology and Chemo-informatics Unit, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pakasa Muyulu Nestor
Department of Anatomo-Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Oral cavity cancers are part of the upper aerodigestive tract cancers and represent a significant burden worldwide. Its epidemiology varies from country to country with high frequencies in South East Asian countries. Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors. Survival of oral cancer is low i.e., less than 40% in the advanced stage (stage III and IV), diagnosis of oral cavity cancer is based on a complete clinical examination of the oral cavity complete with biopsy, bio-markers are an adjunct to screening and diagnosis of oral cavity cancers, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are part of the therapeutic armamentarium of oral cancer but also have limitations. Traditional medicine is an important and proven alternative in the treatment and support of patients with oral cavity cancer. Prevention of oral cavity cancers includes not only early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions but also control of risk factors and education of the population. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are part of the therapeutic strategy of oral cancer treatment but also have limitations. Traditional Medicine is an important and proven alternative in the treatment and support of patients with oral cavity cancer. It is thus desirable to scientifically validate phytochemicals in order to integrate alternative medicine as part of national cancer management strategy. In silico advanced studies on secondary metabolites of medicinal plants traditionally used to treat oral cancer are in progress.
Keywords: Oral cavity cancer, upper aerodigestive tract, Evidence-based medicine, phytochemicals, medicinal plants, alternative/ traditional medicine