Role of Anticancer Drugs in the Treatment of Oral Carcinomas-A Review of Literature

Oral cancer is the sixth common tumour world- wide [1]. Oral cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for males [2]. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common neoplasia and is found frequently in oral cavity in the cheek, gingiva and tongue [3]. Although cigarette and alcohol are considered as two major etiological factors of oral carcinogenesis [4], occurrence of oral cancer was seen to be associated with betel quid chewing. [4, 5]. Oral chemotherapy is attractive because of its convenience and ease of administration, particularly in the palliative setting. This article focuses on the various anticancer drugs and their action.