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Oral cancer (mouth cancer) refers to any malignancy that affects the interior of your mouth. Oral cancer might appear as a typical problem with your lips or mouth, such as white spots or bleeding sores. The distinction between a common issue and possible cancer is that these changes do not disappear. Oral cancer, if left untreated, can spread from your mouth and throat to other parts of your head and neck. Five years after diagnosis, around 63 percent of persons with oral cavity cancer are still alive.
Oral cancer affects approximately 11 persons out of every 100,000 people. Oral cancer is more common in men than in women. White people are more prone than Black persons to develop mouth cancer.
Oral cancer can affect the mouth as well as the oropharynx. Parts of your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the middle section of your throat visible when your mouth is open are all part of your oropharynx. Oropharyngeal cancer refers to cancer of the oropharynx. This page focuses on oral cancer in the mouth, often known as the oral cavity.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ORAL CANCER?
Cancers of the mouth include:
- lips
- tongue
- the cheek's inner lining
- gums
- the floor of the mouth
- hard and soft palate
When it comes to oral cancer, your dentist is generally the first to identify symptoms. Having biannual dental checkups allows your dentist to stay up to date on the state of your mouth's health.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ORAL CANCER?
The following are the most prevalent symptoms of oral cancer:
- Swellings/thicknesses, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, cheeks, or other places inside the mouth
- Patches in the mouth that are velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red)
- Unknown cause of mouth bleeding
- Unknown cause of numbness, loss of sensation, or pain/tenderness in any part of the face, mouth, or neck
- Sores on the face, neck, or lips that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks
- A hurting throat or the sensation that something is stuck in the back of the throat
- Difficulties chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving one's jaw or tongue
- Hoarseness, a persistent sore throat, or a change in voice
- Ear pain
- You may get swelling or soreness in your jaw. If you wear dentures, they may be painful or difficult to insert.
- A modification to the way your teeth or dentures fit together
- Significant weight reduction
If you see any of these changes, you should contact your dentist or a health care expert right once.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ORAL CANCER?
Oral cancer begins in the squamous cells of your mouth. Squamous cells are flat and resemble fish scales when examined under a microscope.
When the DNA of normal squamous cells changes and the cells begin to grow and reproduce, they become malignant. These malignant cells can move to other locations inside your mouth, and then to other sections of your head and neck, or to other parts of your body, over time.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR ORAL CANCER?
The following are risk factors for the development of oral cancer:
- Smoking: Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely to acquire mouth cancer than nonsmokers.
- Tobacco use without smoking: Dip, snuff, and chewing tobacco users are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lip lining.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Oral malignancies are nearly six times more likely in alcoholics than in non-alcoholics. Using alcohol and cigarettes at the same time enhances your chances even further.
- Cancer runs in the family.
- Excessive sun exposure, especially at an early age: Lip cancers can be caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): Certain HPV strains are risk factors for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). Almost everyone who engages in sexual activity will contract HPV at some point in their lives. A subtype of this virus is causing an increasing number of apparently healthy men under the age of 50 to get malignancies in the back of their mouths and throats as a result of oral intercourse. The greater the number of persons you and your partners have sex with, the greater the risk.
- Age: Oral cancers can develop over time. Most people discover they have it after the age of 55. However, more young men are developing malignancies due to HPV.
- Gender: Oral cancer affects men at least twice as much as women. It could be because men consume more alcohol and smoke than women.
- Poor diet: Research has identified a correlation between oral cancer and a lack of vegetables and fruits.
It is vital to highlight that more than a quarter of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and drink alcohol just infrequently.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF ORAL CANCER?
Oral cancer progresses via four phases.
Stage 1: The tumor is 2 centimeters (cm) or less in size and has not migrated to the lymph nodes.
Stage 2: The tumor is 2-4 cm in diameter and has not migrated to the lymph nodes.
Stage 3: The tumor is either more than 4 cm in size and has not migrated to the lymph nodes, or it is any size and has spread to one lymph node but not to the rest of the body.
Stage 4: Tumors can be of any size, and the cancer cells have migrated to neighboring tissues, lymph nodes, or other sections of the body.
The National Cancer Institute reports the following five-year survival rates for oral cavity and pharynx cancers:
- For localized cancer (that has not spread), the rate is 83%.
- For cancer that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes, the survival rate is 64%.
- For cancer that has progressed to other parts of the body, the rate is 38%.
Overall, 60% of persons with oral cancer will live for five years or more. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chances of survival after therapy. In fact, the five-year overall survival rate for patients with stage 1 and 2 oral malignancies is often 70 to 90%. This emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR ORAL CANCER?
Treatment for oral cancer varies according to the kind, location, and stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.
- Surgery: Early-stage treatment usually entails surgery to remove the tumor and malignant lymph nodes. Other tissue around the lips and neck may also be removed.
- Radiation therapy: Another alternative is radiation therapy. For two to eight weeks, a doctor will direct radiation beams at the tumor once or twice a day, five days a week. Advanced stages of cancer are typically treated with a mix of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. The medication is administered either orally or via an intravenous (IV) line. The majority of people receive chemotherapy as outpatients, however some require hospitalization.
- Targeted therapy: Another type of treatment is targeted therapy. It has the potential to be useful in both early and advanced stages of cancer. Targeted therapy medications bind to specific proteins on cancer cells, preventing them from growing.
- Nutrition: Nutrition is also an essential component of your oral cancer treatment. Many therapies make eating and swallowing difficult or uncomfortable, and poor appetite and weight loss are common side effects. Make an appointment with your doctor to review your nutrition.
A nutritionist can help you arrange a meal program that is soft on your tongue and throat while also providing your body with the calories, vitamins, and minerals it requires to recuperate.
- Maintaining the health of your mouth: Finally, maintaining good oral health during cancer therapy is critical. Maintain good oral hygiene by keeping your mouth moist and your teeth and gums clean.
HOW TO PREVENT DEVELOPING ORAL CANCER
Oral cancer is preventable, and you may play an active role in that prevention. You can help prevent oral cancer by following these tips:
- If you smoke, chew tobacco, or use a water pipe, try quitting or reducing your use. Discuss smoking cessation programs with your doctor.
- If you like to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
- Remember to bring your sunblock. Apply UV-AB-blocking sunscreen to your face and body, as well as sunblock.
- Obtain a human papillomavirus vaccination.
- Consume a well-balanced diet.
- Maintain frequent dental check-ups. People between the ages of 20 and 40 should have an oral cancer screening every three years, while people above the age of 40 should have annual exams.
HOW TO DETECT ORAL CANCER
Early detection of oral cancer can lower the likelihood of the cancer growing and spreading. A monthly self-examination can help you spot mouth cancer early. If you notice any changes or anything out of the ordinary, contact your dentist right away. Here's how to look for signs of oral cancer in your mouth, throat, and neck:
- Feel your lips, the front of your gums, and the roof of your mouth.
- Look for lumps or swollen lymph nodes in your neck and under your lower jaw.
- Look inside your mouth with a bright light and a mirror.
- Look at the roof of your mouth with your head tilted back.
- Pull your cheeks out to see the inside of your mouth, cheek lining, and back gums.
- Examine the top, bottom, and sides of your tongue. Push your tongue back gently so you can see the floor of your mouth.
CONCLUSION
Oral cancer is a dangerous disease that, if detected early, can be successfully treated. That's why it's critical to visit your dentist twice a year and schedule a monthly self-examination. One of the most essential strategies to prevent oral cancer is to avoid using tobacco products. A cancer diagnosis can be frightening. But keep in mind that you don't have to go it alone. Consult your healthcare professionals about options to assist you in discussing your oral cancer with friends and family.