Team+approach

= The Team =

The team involved in the treatment of oral cancer is multidisciplinary. It is composed of people in a variety of professions who should meet at a specific time to discuss and contribute to decisions about the diagnosis and treatment options for a patient with oral cancer. Many studies stress the importance of a “multi-professional composition of teams” (Fleissig et. al 2006; Brown and Langdon, 1995; Ord and Blanchaert, 2001), to encourage treatment to be based on a large range of expert knowledge, to provide an optimal management plan for the patient.

It is thought that in the management of patients with oral cancer, the professionals involved are able to be split into two groups which we can define as Major/Tumor team, and Minor/ Social team (Rapidis et. Al, 1980; Ord and Blanchaert, 2001).

**The Major/tumor team consists of:** Otorhinolaryngologist, ENT, Maxillofacial surgeon Plastic surgeon Radiotherapist Medical Oncologist Pathologist Radiologist Prosthodontist

**Minor/supportive team consists of:** Physician Dental hygienist Nursing staff Maxillofacial Prosthetist <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Psychologist <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Speech and Language Therapist <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Social worker <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Nutritionist and Dietitian <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Family and supportive friends