[Is the rate of response of oral carcinoma to radiotherapy predictable?]

ABSTRACT

Prediction of responsiveness of oral cancer cells to radiation is very important in planning of treatment and can play an important role in treatment strategy. If the clinician becomes aware that the tumor is not responsive to radiation, radiotherapy can be omitted from the treatment plan thus preventing any untoward side effects and loss of precious time. On the other hand, if a tumor is sensitive to radiation, radiotherapy can be used as the mainstay of treatment and as a matter of fact, radical surgeries can also be avoided. In this article, some of the molecular agents effective in determining the responsiveness of squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth to radiotherapy have been studied and reviewed. Similarly, the authors have tried to present certain factors which can be useful in predicting the responsiveness of squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth to radiotherapy