Oral Cancer: Early Signs, Risk Factors and Treatment
The beginnings of oral cancer stem from the gums, tongue, tonsils, salivary glands, inner cheeks, and even the back of the throat where it further spreads to the mouth's lining and gums. Cancerous tumors are aggressive and invade nearby tissue, damage it, and may extend to other parts of the body.
Early Signs of Oral Cancer
The onset of an oncological disease can sometimes be missed at home leading to the necessity of a regular dental examination. If caught in the early stages, treatment of oral cancer is more effective, and your dental health care provider is trained to catch the small signs of oral cancer that may be missed elsewhere.
In addition to regular visits, if you notice these oral cancer symptoms, it is important to see your NYC dentist immediately:
- non-healing bleeding sore on lip, gum, or mouth lining;
- red or white patches in the mouth;
- lump inside cheek felt with the tongue;
- numbness in any part of the mouth;
- difficulty chewing or swallowing;
- unexplained mouth pain or throat discomfort;
- jaw swelling affecting denture fit;
- voice changes.
A patient with advanced oral cancer could showcase symptoms such as cervical lymphadenopathy, facial and neck edema, dysphagia, change in dentition, speech disturbances with changes in osseous facial contours. Such cases may require more aggressive treatment strategies.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
This malignant growth is considered one of the most common types of cancer. It is most commonly diagnosed in older men who smoke and drink heavily, accounting for around 3% of cancer cases in men and 2% in women.
The causes of oral cancer include smoking, which damages the mucous membrane cells, and heavy alcohol consumption, especially when combined with smoking. These lifestyle habits greatly increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer. Poor oral hygiene, with irregular brushing and missed dental check-ups, may be one of oral cancer causes that lead to infections and inflammation.
The risk of cancerous growth is higher with HPV infection, especially strains 16 and 18, which affect the mucous membranes. As people age, particularly after 45, cellular changes increase the risk. A lack of vitamins A and C can weaken the immune system, while a poor diet rich in red meat and processed foods also plays a role. Lastly, a family history of oral cancer appearance raises the chances of developing the disease.
Diagnosis of Oral Cancer
An uncontrolled growth of cells can occur within the oral cavity: on the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, palate, and even the mucosa. For more effective treatment, it is best to detect it early.
The following are the necessary steps in diagnosing mouth cancer:
- A specialist will scrutinize the mouth for visible lesions and take a history of relevant cancer risk factors like a smoking habit and family history.
- The lymph nodes are also examined for possible metastasis, checking for signs of swelling and pain.
- A biopsy must be carried out to confirm cancer in a suspicious lesion by removing some abnormal tissue.
- Some imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI, and oral cancer screening are conducted to assess the extent of disease spread and associated metastases, if any.
- Some blood examinations may tend to suggest presence of a neoplasm, although the tumor markers lack specificity.
- The classification system TNM is useful in determining the extent of the disease by assessing size of the tumor, the affected lymph nodes, and metastasis to other areas.
Some symptoms of advanced oral cancer may be swelling of the face and neck, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, changes in facial shape, problems with dysphagia or swallowing, loss or shifting of teeth, and slurring in speech. Such scenarios may warrant serious intervention.
Oral Cancer Treatment
After the diagnosis, a multidisciplinary team consisting of a dentist and a surgeon develops a bespoke management plan. It is important to consult a dentist who specializes on the oral ramifications of these therapies.
Common oral cancer treatments include:
- Surgical procedures remain the first choice in cancer treatment, but performing them in the mouth is problematic. The area is quite intricate because of its highly vascularized, dense and mobile tissues, making tumor removal without vital structure damage challenging. This increases the risks of bleeding and complicates both the procedure and recovery.
- Chemotherapy focuses on the rapidly growing tumor cells using harmful substances that inhibit and even stop their growth. This can be done solely, before and after surgery, or in combination with radiation. However, it affects some healthy cells too, leading to side effects like nausea, fatigue, digestive issues, blood changes, and weakened immunity.
- Radiation therapy uses X-rays to damage cells, especially those of malignant tumors that divide rapidly. This can be the sole treatment or done with surgery and chemotherapy alongside. Preparation before treatment involves making markings on the body to aim at the tumor with minimal damage to the surrounding tissues.
The outcome of mouth cancer may vary based on its stage, tumor type, location, treatment timeliness, patient age, general health status, and the strategy employed. Timely intervention with the necessary steps improves the chances of successful treatment.
The focus of prevention is improving the overall health, including stopping smoking, avoiding hot beverages, keeping the mouth clean, and managing chronic diseases. Personal and professional dental examinations are essential for effective self-prevention. Like many other cancers, mouth oncology can be alleviated with the proper care and attention.
