Oral Cavity (Mouth) Cancer

Cancer is made of changed cells that grow out of control. The changed (abnormal) cells often grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer cells can also grow into (invade) nearby areas, and they can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis.

Oral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth or throat.  Oral cancer is fairly common and very curable if found and treated at an early stage. A healthcare provider or dentist usually finds oral cancer in its early stages because the mouth can be easily examined.

The types of oral cancer are:

• Squamous cell carcinoma, which is the most common.

• Verrucous carcinoma.

• Salivary gland tumors.

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer. Some risk factors may not be in your control. But others may be things you can change.

Oral cancer is twice as common in men as it is in women. You’re also more at risk for it if you have:

• Used tobacco in the past.

• Heavily drink alcohol use.

• A lot of sun exposure.

• Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infection.

• Lack of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

• Chronic mouth irritation, such as from poorly-fitted dentures.

• Betel nut use.

• Certain inherited conditions, such as Fanconi anemia.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors for oral cancer and what you can do about them.

There is no sure way to prevent all oral and throat cancers. But you can control some risk factors to help reduce your risk:                                                                     

• Quit using all types of tobacco.

• Stay away from other people’s tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke).

• Limit or don’t drink alcohol.

• Protect yourself from ultraviolet light exposure.

• Prevent HPV infection.

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

• Have dentures fitted properly.

Oral cancer is often found because a person notices unusual changes in their mouth. The symptoms of oral cancer include:

• A sore on your lip or in your mouth that won’t heal.

• A lump on your lip, in your mouth, or in your throat.

• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of your mouth.

• Unusual bleeding, pain, or numbness in your mouth.

• A feeling of something caught in your throat.

• Trouble chewing or swallowing.

• Pain when you chew or swallow.

• A sore throat that doesn’t go away.

• Swelling around your jaw.

• Loose or painful teeth.

• A lump, swelling, or mass in your neck that doesn’t go away.

• Weight loss that is unexpected.

• A change in your voice.

• A pain in your ear.

Many of these may be caused by other health problems. But it is important to see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have cancer.

Oral cancer is often found during routine dental or medical exams. Your healthcare provider may check for signs of oral cancer during your regular exams.You should tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms.

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have oral cancer, you will need exams and tests to be sure. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history, your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. He or she will also give you an oral exam. This involves looking at your head and neck and checking inside your mouth. He or she may also look at the back of your mouth and throat with small mirrors or with a thin, flexible, lighted tube. This tube is called a laryngoscope or a pharyngoscope. Based on the results, your healthcare provider may decide you need a biopsy to check for cancer.

A biopsy is the only way to confirm cancer. Small pieces of tissue are taken out and checked for cancer cells. Your results will come back in about one week.

After a diagnosis of oral cancer, you’ll likely have other tests. These help your healthcare providers learn more about your cancer. They can help determine the stage of the cancer. The stage is how much and how far the cancer has spread (metastasized) in your body. It is one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat the cancer.

Once your cancer is staged, your healthcare provider will talk with you about what the stage means for your treatment. Ask your healthcare provider to explain the stage of your cancer to you in a way you can understand.

Your treatment choices depend on the type of oral cancer you have, test results, and the stage of the cancer. The goal of treatment may be to cure you, or control the cancer, or help ease problems caused by the cancer. Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment choices, the goals of treatment, and what the risks and side effects may be. Other things to think about are if the cancer can be removed with surgery and your overall health.

Types of treatment for cancer are either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in one area. Surgery and radiation are local treatments. Surgery is a common treatment for oral cancer. Systemic treatment is used to destroy or control cancer cells that may have traveled around your body. When taken by pill or injection, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. You may have just one treatment or a combination of treatments.

Oral cancer may be treated with:

• Surgery.

• Radiation therapy.

• Chemotherapy.

• Targeted therapy.

• Supportive care.

Talk with your healthcare providers about your treatment options. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each option. Talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage normal cells. This can cause side effects such as hair loss, mouth sore, and vomiting. Talk with your healthcare provider about side effects you might have and ways to manage them. There may be things you can do and medicines you can take to help prevent or control side effects.

After surgery for oral cancer, you may need extra care to adjust to new ways of eating, drinking, speaking, and breathing. The types of changes you have depend on the type of surgery that was done.

Many people feel worried, depressed, and stressed when dealing with cancer. Getting treatment for cancer can be hard on your mind and body. Keep talking with your healthcare team about any problems or concerns you have. Work together to ease the effects of cancer and its symptoms on your daily life.

Here are tips:

• Talk with your family or friends.

• Ask your healthcare team or social worker for help.

• Speak with a counselor.

• Talk with a spiritual advisor, such as a minister or rabbi.

• Ask your healthcare team about medicines for depression or anxiety.

• Keep socially active.

• Join a cancer support group.

Cancer treatment is also hard on the body. To help yourself stay healthier, try to:

• Eat a healthy diet, with as many protein foods as possible.

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and other liquids.

• Keep physically active.

• Rest as much as needed.

• Talk with your healthcare team about ways to manage treatment side effects.

• Take your medicines as directed by your team.

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about when to call. You may be told to call if you have any of the below:

• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.

• Signs of an infection, such as a fever.

• Side effects of treatment that affect your daily function or don't get better with treatment.

Ask your healthcare provider what signs to watch for and when to call. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.