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Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of
cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral cancer
appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away. Oral
cancer, which includes cancers 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.
What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:
Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded
areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth
The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red)
patches in the mouth
Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of
the face, mouth, or neck
Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do
not heal within 2 weeks
A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice
Ear pain
A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
Dramatic weight loss
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If you notice any of these changes, contact your dentist or health care
professional immediately.
Who Gets Oral Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, men face twice the risk of
developing oral cancer as women, and men who are over age 50 face the
greatest risk. It's estimated that over 35,000 people in the U.S.
received a diagnosis of oral cancer in 2008.
Risk factors for the development of oral cancer
include:
Smoking. Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely
than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
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.
Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more
common in drinkers than in nondrinkers.
Family history of cancer.
Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.
It is important to note that over 25% of all oral cancers occur in
people who do not smoke and who only drink alcohol occasionally.
What Is the Outlook for People With Oral Cancer?
The overall 1-year survival rate for patients with all stages of oral
cavity and pharynx cancers is 81%. The 5- and 10-year survival rates are
56% and 41%, respectively.
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How Is Oral Cancer Diagnosed?
As part of your routine dental exam, your dentist will conduct an oral
cancer screening exam. More specifically, your dentist will feel for any
lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral
cavity. When examining your mouth, your dentist will look for any sores
or discolored tissue as well as check for any signs and symptoms
mentioned above.
Your dentist may perform an oral brush biopsy if he or she sees tissue
in your mouth that looks suspicious. This test is painless and involves
taking a small sample of the tissue and analyzing it for abnormal cells.
Alternatively, if the tissue looks more suspicious, your dentist may
recommend a scalpel biopsy. This procedure usually requires local
anesthesia and may be performed by your dentist or a specialist. These
tests are necessary to detect oral cancer early, before it has had a
chance to progress and spread.
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.
What Can I Do to Prevent Oral Cancer?
To prevent oral cancer:
Don't smoke or use any tobacco products and drink alcohol in moderation
(and refrain from binge drinking).
Eat a well balanced diet.
Limit your exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure increases the risk of
cancer on the lip, especially the lower lip. When in the sun, use
UV-A/B-blocking sun protective lotions on your skin, as well as your
lips.
You can take an active role in detecting oral
cancer early, should it occur, by doing the following:
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Conduct a self exam at least once a month. Using a bright light and a
mirror, look and feel your lips and front of your gums. Tilt your head
back and look at and feel the roof of your mouth. Pull your checks out
to view the inside of your mouth, the lining of your cheeks, and the
back gums. Pull out your tongue and look at all surfaces; examine the
floor of your mouth. Look at the back of your throat. Feel for lumps or
enlarged lymph nodes in both sides of your neck and under your lower
jaw. Call your dentist's office immediately if you notice any changes in
the appearance of your mouth or any of the signs and symptoms mentioned
above.
See your dentist on a regular schedule. Even though you may be
conducting frequent self exams, sometimes dangerous spots or sores in
the mouth can be very tiny and difficult to see on your own. The
American Cancer Society recommends oral cancer screening exams every 3
years for persons over age 20 and annually for those over age 40. During
your next dental appointment, ask your dentist to perform an oral exam.
Early detection can improve the chance of successful treatment.
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