Two Head and Neck Cancers in an Adult With Intellectual Disability and Rett Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

The cases of head and neck cancer among persons with intellectual disability (PWID) are infrequently reported and therefore poorly understood. PWID often face increased barriers of access to healthcare, which can be further compounded when faced with a cancer diagnosis. This report presents the case of a 34-year-old Chinese female patient with Rett syndrome and intellectual disability, presenting with two primary cancers of the tongue and the trachea. The case highlights the importance of regular dental review in cancer surveillance, post-operative supportive dental care, and challenges in behavioral management in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: hospital dentistry; intellectual disability; oral cancer.