Oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors and their harmfulness Oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors include squamous cell carcinoma (the most common, accounting for more than 90%), mucinous epidermis-like carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, malignant lymphoma, multiple myeloma, undifferentiated carcinoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and so on. Lesions can occur in the cavity, lip, maxillary sinus, salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glands), craniofacial bones (maxilla, mandible, zygoma, and skull), and pharynx. Oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors will not only affect facial appearance, but also cause dysfunction of chewing, swallowing, speech and breathing, which will seriously reduce the survival quality of patients; if the lesion continues to develop, it can endanger patients’ lives. 2.How to treat oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors The development of malignant tumor treatment plan is a complex decision, and doctors will determine personalized treatment plan according to lesion type, site, stage and scope of lesion. Commonly used treatment methods include surgical resection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, and herbal adjuvant therapy. The selection of treatment methods should consider not only their effectiveness, but also their trauma, near and long-term toxic side effects as well as the economic status of patients, and should be based on the basic principle of maintaining the best quality of survival of patients. The treatment of complex or advanced tumors requires multidisciplinary cooperation and the development of a stage-specific comprehensive sequential treatment plan. For example, squamous cell carcinoma, mucinous epidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma osteosarcoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, etc. are treated mainly by surgery with other methods as adjuvant treatment; undifferentiated carcinoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, etc. are treated mainly by radiation therapy; malignant lymphoma, multiple myeloma, etc. are treated mainly by chemotherapy. In addition to scientific formulation of conventional treatment plan, patients’ pain control, nutritional support, psychological counseling and functional rehabilitation should be included in the treatment plan. 3.Is it necessary to treat oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors? With the continuous advancement of medical research, new treatment techniques, methods and drugs have emerged one after another, and the treatment level of malignant tumors has progressed continuously. The long-term survival rate of patients is further improved, the recurrence rate, regional lymph node and distant metastasis rate are gradually decreased, and the survival quality of patients is continuously improved. Therefore, patients and their families are advised to listen to the specialist’s advice and decide carefully whether to give up the treatment.