As with any type of cancer, oral cancer is serious, and early detection and treatment is important. In general, this term refers to cancer of the mouth, although the specific tissues that are affected can vary. The more someone understands about this type of cancer, the better the chances it can be diagnosed early and treated.
The thought of cancer can be scary, but sometimes the fear can be mitigated by learning more about it.
Cancer of the mouth develops when cancer cells grow in the mouth and become out of control. This can include a wide range of parts of the mouth, including the teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, the bottom of the mouth, or the tongue. More than 90% of cancer cells in the mouth are squamous cell carcinomas. This means that they form in flat, squamous cells and line the throat and mouth.
Although the word oral refers to the mouth in general, cancer can develop in specific places in the mouth. These include inside the mouth, at the back of the throat and in the soft tissues of the mouth. Other places it can develop are the tonsils, tongue, lips, salivary glands and esophagus. If not treated soon enough, oral cancer can spread and involve the upper or lower jawbones, the neck lymph nodes or other places in the body.
There are various causes of this type of cancer, but tobacco is the biggest one. According to WebMD, people who use smokeless tobacco are 50 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancer, particularly in the gums, cheek and lining of the lips. Those who smoke cigars, cigarettes or pipes are also at high risk.
Another common cause is high consumption of alcohol. Other causes include the human papillomavirus and excessive sun exposure. Men, especially those older than 50, and people with a family history of cancer are at higher risk of developing oral cancer.
There are a variety of symptoms to be on the lookout for:
A visit to the dentist is warranted if any of these symptoms linger for longer than two weeks.
Sometimes, a medical professional notices pre-cancer or cancer of the mouth during an exam. Most of the time, though, someone is not diagnosed with cancer of the mouth until they experience symptoms of the disease. Diagnosing the disease typically includes a thorough physical exam as well as imaging or biopsy tests. On occasion, a blood test can indicate cancer of the mouth as well.
Surgery to remove the growth is usually the first step. This is followed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both to make sure all lingering cancer cells are destroyed.
In addition to appearance or function side effects, treatment for cancer of the mouth may include other side effects as well. Some patients experience dry mouth, changes in taste, fatigue, or weight loss. Patients may also experience diarrhea or constipation. The length of time that a patient may experience these side effects varies greatly depending on the treatments being used. Typically, patients experience the side effects for the weeks or months that they are being treated for the disease. However, some patients experience the side effects for the rest of their lives, so it is important to be prepared for this possibility.
First of all, avoid or lessen risk factors. Do not smoke, chew tobacco or drink excessively. Wear sunscreen and a hat and cover the lips with an SPF lip balm.
Second, do periodic self-checks. Examine the mouth, lips, and tongue on a regular basis and keep an eye out for oral cancer symptoms. Finally, make sure to visit the dentist at least twice a year. During the appointment, the dentist will perform a cancer screening exam. If there are any suspicious areas, a biopsy may be performed.
Oral cancer can be life-threatening if not treated early on. Know the signs to look for and see a dentist for regular cancer screenings, especially if you suspect that you have symptoms.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mytotaldentistry.com or call McCarthy Dentistry at (740) 546-5178 for an appointment in our Marietta office.
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