The facts about oral cancer and the effect it can have on you

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by: Adam Wright
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Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 Time: 2:24 AM
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Oral cancer (also known as mouth cancer) usually occurs when cancerous cells develop in any part of the mouth (such as the tongue and gums) as well as the salivary glands. The most uncommon type of cancer, it accounts for approximately 5 per cent of all cancers - with men more at risk than women aged between 40 to 60.

Common symptoms of oral cancer

Appearing as a growth or sore, oral cancer can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Symptoms of oral cancer include:

- A lump or swelling in the mouth, cheek, lips or gums that still has not healed after two weeks;
- Lesions in the mouth tissue, leukoplakia (white lesions) or erythroplakia (red lesions);
- Difficulty in chewing and swallowing, moving the tongue/jaw, soreness of the throat;
- Bleeding in the mouth that after two weeks still has not healed;
- Numbness/tenderness or a tingly sensation anywhere around the jaw, teeth, tongue, lips or cheeks;
- A change in voice, unexplained loss of weight, or continuous pain in the ear or mouth.

Should symptoms of oral cancer arise it is advised to visit the dentist as soon as possible, where a physical examination of the neck as well as the lips and oral cavity will be performed (oral cancer screening). Once a detailed diagnosis is confirmed your dentist will then provide you with the necessary information regarding treatment.

Causes of oral cancer

Whilst there is no single cause, the following risks can result in the development of oral cancer:

- Tobacco use. Chewing tobacco, dipping snuff and smoking accounts for 80 to 90 per cent of oral cancer cases. Those who smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than nonsmokers.
- Excessive alcohol consumption. Drinkers are approximately six times more likely to develop oral cancer than nondrinkers.
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Improper protection whilst exposed to the sun increases the risk of oral cancer, especially in the lips.
- Unhealthy diet. An absence of vitamins A, C and E, iron, folate and selenium can increase the chances of oral cancer. Medical professionals strongly recommend a low-fat diet high in fibre, with fruits and vegetables.
- Poor oral hygiene. Unhealthy oral cavities and ill-fitting dentures can lead to tumours, especially when combined with alcohol and tobacco usage.

Treating oral cancer

As cancer treatment may affect the mouth's immune system doctors usually advise to have any dental work done before treatment commences. Depending on how progressed the oral cancer is, common forms of treatment involve the following:

- Surgery. Removing the tumour surgically is the most typical treatment for oral cancer, with a cure rate of approximately 75 per cent if caught and treated early. If the cancer has spread further then parts of the mouth as well as the lymph nodes may also be removed.
- Radiotherapy. Also known as radiation therapy, involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. Similar to surgery in that radiation therapy is local therapy, this method only affects cells in the treated area.
- Chemotherapy. Involving the use of chemicals to kill cancerous cells, chemotherapy works by disrupting the cancer cell's growth. Able to focus on multiple locations in the body, this form of therapy is the most effective way of treating the cancer.
- Monoclonal antibody therapy. Used in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, its monoclonal antibodies are genetically engineered to attack cancerous cells - with Cetuximab being the specific type of monoclonal antibody used during treatment.

Recovery and rehabilitation

After treatment your doctor will discuss your prognosis and plans for recovery. Following removal of a tumour, options include:

- Reconstructive surgery. With advanced stages of cancer, patients who have had surgery may result in disfigurement. Reconstructive surgery will help rebuild any affected parts of the oral cavity as well as assist with chewing, swallowing, feeding and breathing.
- Rehabilitation. If damage has affected the mouth on a permanent basis, then adaptations will have to be made. A rehabilitation team involving a physiotherapist, speech therapist and a specialist will help the patient adjust to the changes, but those who have had lip and oral cavity cancer have a higher risk of developing a second oral cancer. Therefore it is imperative that regular follow-up appointments are made to prevent the cancer from coming back.
- Visiting your dentist every 6 months will help keep them up to date with your oral health and should you have any worries, ask them to carry out an oral screening. Whilst having regular check ups may not completely exclude the chances of getting oral cancer, early detection can hopefully diagnose the warning signs where treatment can be carried out as soon as possible.

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If you have any concerns about a oral health problem such as oral cancer then there are Emergency dentist24 hours who can check you out and make sure nothing is array.