Oral Cancer Treatment Through the Ages: Part 1.

PURPOSE: Understanding how oral cancer treatment evolved can pave the way for future management. The literature holds an expansive collection of historical findings regarding oral cancer, yet the authors were unable to find a comprehensive review of oral cancer treatment throughout the ages. METHODS: A thorough literature review was carried out using multiple scientific databases and languages, as well as examination of historical archives. Articles were included for their relevance and their findings were assimilated. RESULTS: Part one of this article reveals a rich history of oral cancer treatment commencing in ancient times, with discussion of Egyptian, Greek and Roman practices, and travelling through the age of discovery to arrive at the dawn of scientific medicine in the 19th century. CONCLUSION: Part one demonstrates how fundamental concepts of oral cancer were discovered, and the significant impact medical innovation had on the success of oral cancer treatment.