About Oral Cancer
Causes of oral cancer include:
- Mutations (changes) in the DNA of cells can lead to abnormal growth and cell death, contributing to the development of oral cancer.
- Infections with certain viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), and Candida albicans, can activate changes in the body that promote cancer growth, increasing the risk of oral cancer.
Non-modifiable risk factors of oral cancer cannot be changed or controlled. These include:
- Age: The risk of oral cancer increases with age, with the average age of diagnosis being 62 years.
- Sex: Males are over twice as likely to develop oral cancer than women, although the reason for this is unclear.
- Genetic conditions: Certain rare genetic conditions like Fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, epidermolysis bullosa, xeroderma pigmentosum, and connexin gene mutations can predispose individuals to oral cancer.
Modifiable risk factors of oral cancer can be influenced or changed. These include:
- Tobacco use: Any form of tobacco use significantly increases the risk of oral cancer.
- Alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol use can also increase the risk.
- HPV infection: Infection with certain types of HPV, particularly HPV 16, is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.
- Sun exposure: Frequent sun exposure that leads to lip burning can trigger the development of oral cancers.
It's important to note that these risk factors do not guarantee the development of oral cancer, but they can increase the likelihood. To reduce your risk or for personalized advice, consult with your healthcare professional.
Common early symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Mouth sores or ulcers that do not heal within 3 weeks
- Red, white, or discolored patches in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
- Changes in speech or voice
As oral cancer progresses or reaches higher severity, additional symptoms may occur, such as:
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Lumps around the cheeks, mouth, or lips
- Sore throat
- Lingering mouth pain
- Numbness in or around the mouth
- Loss of tongue or jaw mobility
- Swelling in the neck
- Feeling like something is caught in the throat
- Trouble moving the jaw or tongue
- Weight loss
- Constant bad breath
It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's recommended to visit a doctor for a full evaluation. They can perform a physical exam, imaging tests, and a biopsy if necessary. Remember to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.
To diagnose oral cancer, doctors commonly perform the following examinations, tests, and procedures:
- Physical examination: A doctor visually inspects your mouth, throat, tongue, and other oral tissues for abnormal growths, sores, or changes in color or texture.
- Biopsy: If suspicious areas are identified during the physical exam, a small tissue sample is taken from the affected area for lab analysis.
- Imaging tests: Doctors may use imaging techniques such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or PET (positron emission tomography) scans to assess the extent of the cancer and determine if it has spread to nearby structures or other body parts.
- Endoscopy: In some cases, an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera) may be used to examine your throat and voice box for a detailed view of the upper digestive tract.
To determine the stage or severity of oral cancer, additional examinations, tests, and procedures may be performed:
- Lymph node biopsy: If there is suspicion of lymph node involvement, a biopsy may be done to check for cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
- Staging imaging studies: Imaging studies such as CT scans or MRI scans may be used to assess the extent of cancer spread and determine the stage of oral cancer.
It's important to note that diagnosing and staging oral cancer requires specialized equipment and expertise that cannot be replicated by home test kits. Consult a healthcare professional for a definitive diagnosis.
The goals of treatment for oral cancer are as follows:
- Eradicating the tumor: The main treatment option is surgical resection of the tumor. This involves removing as much cancerous tissue as possible to eliminate the cancer.
- Preserving or restoring the shape and function of the mouth: Reconstructive surgery may be needed if large tumors are removed from the mouth, throat, or neck. This can involve dental implants, skin grafts, or other restorative plastic surgery to restore appearance and function.
- Preventing recurrence: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used in combination with surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
- Increasing quality of life: Treatment aims to reduce the mortality rate while improving the patient's quality of life. This can involve various therapies and procedures to manage oral complications that may arise during and after treatment.
Treatment options for oral cancer include:
- Surgery: Removes cancerous tissue and may involve local removal, neck surgery, or reconstructive surgery
- Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells
- Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body
- Targeted therapy: Targets specific proteins carried by cancer cells to inhibit their growth
- Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells
- Clinical trials: Investigational treatments that can be considered if standard treatments have not worked
It's important to note that specific treatment and the sequence of treatment may vary depending on individual cases. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.