Oral cancer or mouth cancer is any growth of cancer cells in any part of the mouth or the throat at the back of the mouth. Any growth in the mouth that does not go away or a sore that does not heal is suspect. If oral cancer is left untreated, it can be fatal.
Several types of oral cancers can be identified, but most (approximately 90%) originate from the flat squamous cells in the tissues that line the mouth and lips. Most often the tongue is involved but it may also occur on the floor or roof of the mouth, cheeks, gums, lips, sinuses or throat. Early diagnosis and treatment improves the chances of a cure.
Who is at risk?
Men have twice the risk of developing oral cancer when compared to women, and men who are over the age of 50 have the greatest risk. In both genders, oral cancer mainly develops after the age of 60.
A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. In about 25% of all oral cancers it is impossible to indicate any risk factors, but in the rest thefollowing increase the risk:
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- Tobacco use (cigarettes, cigars, pipe smokers)
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- Smokeless tobacco use (dip, snuff and chewing tobacco)
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- Excessive alcohol use
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- Excessive sun exposure
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- Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
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- Family history of cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of oral cancer may also indicate other conditions. It is therefore important to consult a doctor or dentist when you become aware of any of the following symptoms:
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- Patches (white, mixed red and white, or brightly coloured red) inside the mouth or on the lips
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- Persistent swellings or thickenings, lumps or bumps, sores, rough spots or crusts, or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth or throat
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- Bleeding in the mouth
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- Loose teeth
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- Difficulty or pain when swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
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- Chronic sore throat, hoarseness, or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
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- Difficulty wearing dentures
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- A lump in the neck
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- An earache that doesn’t go away
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- Numbness, pain or tenderness in any area of the lower lip, chin, mouth or neck
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- Dramatic weight loss.
Stages of cancer
The doctor may take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Then the stage of the cancer will be determined as Stage I, II, III or IV. The stage is based on the size of the growth (tumour), whether it has invaded other cells in the vicinity and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other tissues.
Treatment
The treatment of oral cancer starts with surgery to remove the cancerous growth. This will be followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy (drug treatments) to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
After the initial treatment for oral cancer, a person may need reconstructive surgery to rebuild the bones and tissues of the mouth and rehabilitation (e.g. speech therapy) to help the person return to normal activities as soon as possible.
Follow-up care
Regular check-up of the mouth, throat and neck are needed after treatment for oral cancer as people who have had oral cancer are at risk of developing a new cancer. The prevention measures below should also be followed.
Prevention of oral cancer
It is impossible to prevent oral cancer for sure but, by following these preventative measures, a person can greatly reduce his or her risk of developing it:
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- Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products
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- Drink alcohol in moderation and refrain from binge drinking
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- Eat a well-balanced diet
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- Stay out of the sun during the warmest times of the day
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- See a dentist annually
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- Conduct a self-exam of your lips, mouth and throat once a month.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.cancer.gov
http://www.medicinenet.com
http://www.webmd.com