Review of the Literature on Oral Cancer: Epidemiology, Management and Evidence-based Traditional Medicine Treatment

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.