Dear Sigmund Freud or Estate,
I have received your inquiry regarding oral cancer and its historical context. I am Prof. Rolf Ewers, Chair emeritus of the Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Vienna University Clinic. I appreciate your interest in this topic and will provide a detailed response based on current scientific knowledge, as well as mentioning alternative treatment options.
Firstly, I would like to share some historical context about oral cancer from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health review article titled “Oral Cancer: A Historical Review” (Inchingolo et al., 2021). Oral cancer has been documented since ancient times, with evidence dating back to Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The term “carcinoma” was first used in the late 17th century, and the first successful surgical treatment for oral cancer was performed by Hippocrates around 400 BC using a method called “cheirurgia,” which involved removing the tumor with the bare hands.
Regarding Sigmund Freud’s personal medical history, I regret that I do not have access to your medical records. However, it is known that Freud suffered from various health issues throughout his life, including oral problems. He reportedly experienced toothaches and dental caries during his adolescence and adulthood (Jones, 1953). While there is no definitive evidence linking these dental issues to oral cancer, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with poor oral health.
Oral cancer can manifest in various forms, including squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and lymphoma. The most common risk factors include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and HPV infection (Inchingolo et al., 2021). Prevention measures include maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol intake, and practicing safe sex.
Regarding treatment options, the primary modalities for oral cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and a combination of these approaches (Inchingolo et al., 2021). Surgery is often the preferred choice for early-stage tumors, while more advanced cases may require a multimodal approach.
Alternative treatments for oral cancer have been explored throughout history, including herbal remedies and traditional practices. For instance, in ancient China, licorice
2024-01-30 13:04 Telekonsultation
Dear Sigmund Freud,
I have carefully reviewed your extensive medical history regarding your battle with oral cancer. I am Hans Pichler, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Vienna, born in 1877 and practicing until my death in 1949. I appreciate your concern for the most up-to-date medical knowledge and treatments, and I will do my best to provide you with detailed information based on the available records.
Your medical history begins with your smoking habit, which started at age 24, eventually escalating to up to 20 cigars a day by 1923. In 1889, you experienced a cardiac incident and arrhythmia, prompting your physician, Wilhelm Fleiss, to advise you to reduce or even stop smoking altogether.
In 1917, you reported a painful swelling in your palate, which you dismissed as psychogenic after it disappeared upon resuming smoking. However, this event may have been an early sign of oral cancer.
Your first operation took place on April 20, 1923, when Dr. Hans Hajek performed an excisional biopsy of the lesion in your right posterior hard palate under local anesthesia. Unfortunately, the procedure resulted in severe postoperative bleeding and hospital admission due to incomplete tumor removal.
In September 1923, I planned a more extensive operation, which consisted of a partial resection of the right maxilla coupled with resection of the lingual cortex of the right mandible from the coronoid process to the lower first right molar. This two-stage procedure was performed under local anesthesia and sedation due to the reduced risk of inhalation of blood during this approach. The first stage, on October 4, 1923, involved ligation of the right external carotid artery and removal of the submandibular gland and lymph nodes. Histologic examination failed to identify any malignancy at that time.
The second stage took place on October 11, 1923, during which I removed part of the right maxilla and lower jaw, as well as the medial pterygoid muscle. Raw areas were grafted with split thickness skin from the upper arm, and the maxillectomy cavity was packed
Termin vereinbaren
Ordination Dr. Michael Truppe
Albertgasse 3/6 1080 Wien
Telefon 01 408 95 00 66
Email ordination@smile.wien
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