Dental cancer and quality of life: the path to rehabilitation after treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer is a challenging period for patients. This type of cancer not only threatens the life and health of the patient, but its treatment, in particular surgical tumour removal, often has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of the patient. After the operation, the patient may face a range of oral impairments, including, but not limited to, the difficulty of swallowing, lack of clarity of speech, changes in the facial appearance and even loss of chewing. These changes not only affect the physical well-being of patients but may also have a profound impact on their psychological state and social interaction.Rehabilitation treatment is particularly important in order to help patients adapt to and resume their daily lives after treatment. The goal of rehabilitation treatment is to help the patient to return to his or her pre-treatment state of life as far as possible, or at least to a new, acceptable level of quality of life. Rehabilitation treatment usually includes speech therapy, swallowing training, facial rehabilitation and psychological support.Language therapy is an important means of restoring the language function to patients whose ability to speak is affected by the operation. Specialized speech therapists design individualized treatments based on the patient ‘ s specific circumstances. These programmes may include pronunciation exercises, respiratory control training and the use of assistive tools. Through continuous training, patients can gradually recover clear pronunciation and fluid communication.Insorption training is also essential for patients who have difficulty swallowing after surgery. Insorption is a complex physical process involving a coordinated movement of multiple parts of the mouth, throat and esophagus. Insorption training is designed to help patients retrain how to swallow food and liquids safely and efficiently and to reduce the risk of misuse. This usually includes a series of trainings in oral muscle exercise and swallowing techniques.The change in facial appearance is another problem that many people with oral cancer face after surgery. In order to improve the appearance of patients and increase their self-confidence, facial rehabilitation has become particularly important. This may include the use of prosthesis, plastic surgery or other means of beauty repair. Through these methods, the patient can recover a more natural face and thus become better integrated into society and everyday life.In addition to the physical rehabilitation measures described above, psychological support is an integral part of the rehabilitation process. In the face of both physical and psychological shocks from illness and surgery, patients may experience emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Psychotherapists can help patients deal with these emotional problems by providing one-on-one counselling, group support meetings or psychological counselling courses to improve their psychological resilience to disease and recovery.In order to ensure the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment, doctors and rehabilitation specialists usually develop individualized rehabilitation programmes for patients. These plans take into account the patient ‘ s condition, surgery, personal needs and preferences. The development of a rehabilitation plan is a dynamic process that needs to be adapted to the actual response and progress in the rehabilitation of the patient. Early initiation of rehabilitation training is important for improving the oral function of patients and reducing the occurrence of complications. Through early intervention, patients can adapt more quickly to post-operative changes and reduce the risk of long-term disability, thus improving the overall quality of life.The support of the family and society in the process of rehabilitation must also not be overlooked. Family understanding, encouragement and support can provide a strong spiritual impetus to patients. At the same time, social support networks, such as patient support groups, can provide a platform for patients to share experiences and experiences and help them to better respond to the challenges of rehabilitation.In general, the treatment of oral cancer, while having an impact on the quality of life of patients, has the potential to restore or even improve their quality of life through comprehensive rehabilitation. Rehabilitation treatment not only focuses on the physical rehabilitation of the patient, but also on the adjustment of the mental state and the improvement of the social resilience. Through the combined efforts of doctors, rehabilitation specialists, patients and their families, people with oral cancer can open a new path to recovery and regain the confidence and joy of life.