Oral cancer also known as mouth cancer can be life threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated early. Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that can develop in any part of the mouth. It can develop on the lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth, sinuses, pharynx (throat), gums, tongue and roof of the mouth. According to studies, men face twice the risk of developing oral cancer as women, and men who are over age 50 face the greatest risk.
Well, the exact cause of mouth cancer is unclear, but there are certain factors that increase a person’s risk of developing mouth cancer. Smokers and users of dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco products are 6 times more likely to develop cancers of the oral cavity, including the cheek, gums, lining of the lips, and throat. An individual with a weakened immune system, who drinks excessive alcohol and smokes, is 50 times more likely to have mouth cancer than people who do not smoke and drink.
In the early stages of mouth cancer, there are often low number of signs and symptoms. At the start, most patients have mouth cancer without knowing until the disease has progressed into a more severe stage. When dealing with mouth cancer, early detection can improve the chance of successful treatment. On my previous article, I gave a list of the early signs of mouth cancer. You read the post here – The early signs & symptoms of oral cancer.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
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Dramatic weight loss
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Thick mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal easily
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Formation of white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue can be a sign of oral cancers, such as oropharyngeal cancer or oral cavity cancer. It may also affect swallowing.
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Development of bumps or lumps on the lips, throat or other areas inside the oral cavity may be symptoms of oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, or other types of oral cancers.
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Hoarseness, difficulty in speaking or change in voice
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Pain and difficulty in chewing or swallowing
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Numbness or loss of feeling in the area of the face, mouth, or neck may be a symptom of oropharyngeal cancer, oral cavity cancer, or oral cancer.
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Chronic sore throat is a common symptom of oropharyngeal cancer, oral cancer, and mouth cancers. It can also be accompanied by the sensation that something is caught in the back of the throat. Additionally, these conditions can cause dry mouth.
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Ear, mouth and tongue pain
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Persistent bad breath that does not go away
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Jaw pain or stiffness
How to diagnose oral cancer
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Physical screening: the dentist will examine your mouth to check for any of the symptoms that I listed above. The dentist look for any sores or colored patches on the surface of your mouth and throat. Your dentist will also feel for any lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity.
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Biopsy: If suspicious areas are visualized during the physical exam, a tissue sample is removed from there for laboratory testing in a procedure known as biopsy. Biopsy is done to determine if cancer cells are present within the tissue sample that was taken from the suspected area. The cells are thoroughly analyzed for cancer or precancerous changes.
Once oral cavity cancers are diagnosed, the next step is to determine the stage and spread of the cancer. There are several available tests for staging mouth cancers, including radiotherapy and surgery.
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Endoscopy tests: the endoscopic procedure is done with the use of a small, flexible camera. During the procedure, the doctor will pass a small, flexible camera equipped with a light down your throat to look for signs and know if the cancer has spread beyond your mouth. (1)
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Imaging tests: the main aim of conducting imaging tests is to determine whether cancer has spread beyond your mouth. There are numerous types of imaging tests available, your doctor will determine which tests are appropriate based on the nature of your condition. The imaging tests may include X-ray, CT, MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, among others.
Oral Cancer Treatment Options
There are a variety of treatment options available for treating oral cancer, including radiation therapy, surgery, and a combination of treatments. Depending on the location and stage of the tumor, you may need just one type of treatment or a combination of treatments. A patient’s general health condition and personal preferences are also important factors in determining the suitable type of treatment.
The most common treatments options for mouth cancer include:
1. Surgery
Surgery involves an operation to remove the entire tumor from the oral cavity. A surgeon will have to cut away the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it to ensure all of the cancer cells have been removed. Sometimes, during the surgery if it turns out that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, the cancerous lymph nodes and related tissue in the neck will be surgically taken out. If the tumor is too large, the surgeon may have to remove a section of your jawbone or a portion of your tongue. This surgery is often followed by radiotherapy as part of the treatment for oral cavity cancer.
In addition, after the surgery for the removal of the cancerous cells have been completed, your surgeon may recommend reconstructive surgery to rebuild your mouth to help you regain the ability to talk and eat. In most cases, dental implants may be used to replace your natural teeth.
2. Radiation Therapy
With oral cancers being highly sensitive to radiation therapy, the surgeon uses beams of high-energy X-rays or radiation particles to damage the DNA inside the tumor cells, destroying their ability to reproduce. (2) Radiation therapy technology treats cancerous tissues of the mouth with more accuracy, the high energy beams of radiation are specially designed to spare healthy tissue while they shrink tumors and eliminate only cancer cells. Sometimes, for more accuracy radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy to eliminate and also prevent the cancer from returning.
However, radiation therapy do have its own side effects. It is common to experience tooth decay, mouth sores, bleeding gums, jaw stiffness, fatigue and skin reactions after the procedure.
3. Chemotherapy
Often combined with other cancer treatments, chemotherapy involves the use of drugs and chemicals to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy drugs can be given alone or combined with other cancer treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. In order to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, it’s often combined with surgery or radiation therapy to provide comprehensive care and minimize side effects. It is important to consult with a doctor before starting any treatment.
Chemotherapy alone is a very effective treatment for cancer. The powerful drugs used in chemotherapy damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing. However, chemotherapy does have side effects, which vary depending on the drugs used. Nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and a weakened immune system are common after chemotherapy. Radiation treatment and surgery may also be part of the overall care plan for cancer patients.
4. Targeted drug therapy
Targeted drug therapy, such as cetuximab (Erbitux), is a common treatment for certain types of cancer. This therapy interferes with cancer cell growth on a molecular level by stopping the action of a specific protein. It can be used alone or in combination with radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the cancer. However, side effects like nausea, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, inflammation of the eyes, or conjunctivitis may occur during targeted drug therapy. It is important to consult with a doctor for proper care and guidance throughout the treatment process.
5. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is very effective for fighting persistent oral cancer. The drugs work by helping the body’s immune system identify and kill cancer cells. In the body, cancer cells produce proteins that blinds the immune system cells from attacking them. Immunotherapy helps our defense system to identify and kill all the cancer cells found in the body. Immunotherapy treatments are specially recommended for patients with advanced mouth cancer that is not responding to standard treatments. (3)