1. Oral cancer and Precancerous lesion
Most of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which can arise in various parts of oral cavity such as tongue, gum, palate, buccal mucosa and oral floor. Oral SCC frequently metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes, which influence the patient prognosis. We think that radical resection of tumor is the most reliable method to treat oral SCC. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy can support tumor surgery. Using various techniques, we aim to improve the survival rate of the patients with oral SCC. It is also important to find out precancerous lesions on oral mucosa such as oral leukoplakia as early as possible.
2. Reconstruction surgery
Radical resection of oral cancer results in the defects in oral and maxillofacial regions and impairs the functions of the oral cavity including food intake, mastication, speech and swallowing. In order to restore the patients’ quality of life, reconstruction surgery is actively performed using various kinds of free flap transfer, including radial fore arm flap, rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and scapular flap, with microvascular anastomosis technique.
3. Oral mucus disease
Oral mucus diseases may be associated with a variety of systemic disorders including autoimmune disease, virus infection, malnutrition, leukemia. Irradiation as well as anti-cancer drug are known to induce severe oral mucositis. We manage and care the oral mucous diseases considering the systemic conditions of patients.
4. Odontogenic tumor
Tooth germ, which is an origin of tooth, is known to cause the development of odontogenic tumor and odontogenic cyst in the jaw. Ameloblastoma is a typical odontogenic tumor. We manage to treat such tumors preserving the jaw construct.
5. Salivary gland disease
Various diseases including tumor, inflammation, stone formation, and autoimmune disease, occur in salivary glands such as submandibular gland, parotid gland, sublingual gland and minor salivary gland. Surgery is often applied to salivary glands.
Research Activity
1. Research on hyperthermiatherapy to oral cancer.
2. Basic research on the mechanism of invasion and metastasis in oral cancer.
3. Study on the relationship between oral mucous carcinogenesis, senescence and oxidative stress.
4. Molecular biological research on epidermal-mesencymal transition of keratinocyte and tumor cell.
5. Study on the inductive bone formation in free flap of reconstruction surgery.
6. Basic research on the involvement of ion channel in tumor invasion.