MOUTH CANCER
Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is cancer of the lining of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat ) , can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.
Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include:
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Smoking . Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
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Smokeless tobacco users. Users of dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco products are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lining of the lips.
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Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more common in drinkers than in nondrinkers.
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Family history of cancer.
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Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.
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Human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain HPV strains are etiologic risk factors for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC).
The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:
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Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth
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The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth.
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Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
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Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
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Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within 2 weeks
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A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat.
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Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
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Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice.
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A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together.
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Dramatic weight loss.
If you notice any of these changes, contact your dentist or health care professional immediately.
How Is Oral Cancer Treated?
Oral cancer is treated the same way many other cancers are treated -- with surgery to remove the cancerous growth, followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy (drug treatments) to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
