You may be wondering what oral cancer treatments are suitable for you. As you may know, oral cancer treatments are the same as those other types of cancer. But, there are different ways to select the right option for you or your loved ones.
Chemotherapy is the most common and the first option your doctor is likely to recommend for early-stage oral cancer. Some individuals will be recommended for radiation therapy. In comparison, surgery to remove a mouth tumor is another option.
Cancer is a sensitive topic, especially for those who have it or loved ones who died because of it. What are some ways you can avoid having oral cancer? Below are some of the essential facts you must know about this type of cancer. But first, let’s take a look at the causes.
What Causes Oral Cancer?
The two most significant risk factors for oral cancer are tobacco and alcohol consumption. Furthermore, there are also other dangerous elements like:
- Virus of the human papilloma (HPV)
- A viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- Being exposed to the heat of the sun
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gum disease as a consequence of improper dental hygiene
- Lips exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- Heredity Mouth Cancer
- Prior exposure to radiation in the head or neck
- Being exposed to certain substances such as sulfuric acid, asbestos, and formaldehyde is particularly harmful
The growth of mouth cancer can take many years. Most people just after the age of 55 starts to discover they have it. Even so, (HPV) or Human Papilloma strikes younger men. People who don’t regularly eat vegetables and fruits are also in danger of having oral cancer. Tobacco in snuff or cigarettes is the leading cause of having oral cancer in about 80% of patients. Also, when you smoke, you open yourself to many common diseases such as throat cancer and gum diseases. With that being said, your jaws, cheeks, and lips are also susceptible to mouth cancer.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
Mouth cancer symptoms and warnings include the following:
- Jaw or tongue stiffness or tremors
- Mouth pain that won’t go away
- A white or red spot in mouth lining, tongue, gums, or tonsil
- Hardening or lump in the cheek
- Inability to properly chew or consume food
- Failure to taste anything due to numbness in the mouth
- Enhanced tooth sensitivity
- Weight loss
- Stinky breath that won’t disappear
- Swelling and rough spots on the lips
- Difficulty speaking and changes in speech
- The way you bite has dramatically changed
- Mouth bleeds for no apparent reason
Fever, rashes, fatigue, and nausea can also be added as symptoms. If some of these symptoms concern you, it’s time to set an appointment with a specialist. Some individuals mistakenly think that a simple toothache or cold has nothing to do with oral cancer. If your cold or toothache has been there for two weeks or longer, you should not ignore these signs because they may cause more significant problems. Don’t hesitate to call a specialist if you notice sudden warnings in the condition of your mouth. It’s better to have it checked earlier than later. Through routine examination, your dentist may diagnose if you have it or not.
How Fast Does Oral Cancer Spread?
Oral cancer may spread in just a matter of months if ignored. This type of cancer has tended to spread quickly. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancers are classified into four stages, including mouth cancer. Oral cancer will be associated with approximately 54,000 people in the United States this year. About one person will perish every hour of the year due to this type of cancer. That’s over 9,750 people.
Over 50% of cancer cases spread by the time they are diagnosed. It is imperative to seek your dentist to avoid undertaking more invasive procedures immediately. Stage 0, or carcinoma in situ, is a collection of cancerous cells found in the affected area of the body. It’s a medical term for cancerous cells found in the lining of the lips or oral cavity. These abnormal cells have the potential to develop into cancer and may spread in the nearby normal tissue. Mouth cancer can be identified as late as Stage 4. This means cancer has spread to the following places:
- A large lymph node (larger than 3 cm in size) nearby tissue like jaws and some parts of the oral cavity
- Several lymph nodes of any size on the side of the neck, or one lymph node of any size on the opposite side of the neck
- Remote significant organs of the body that is beyond the mouth, such as the lungs
What Tests are Used to Diagnose Oral Cancer?
A panendoscopy procedure is one of the tests used to diagnose cancer. A panendoscopy test helps detect if there is cancer in the esophagus or lungs. The method uses a variety of endoscopes to thoroughly analyze the mouth, larynx, oropharynx, and esophagus. Examples of endoscopes include laryngoscopes and pharyngoscopes, as well as esophagoscopes. It’s essential to run these tests at an early stage. Otherwise, oral cancer could develop and may spread.
Another test is an oral brush test. Don’t worry; this procedure is painless, and there’s no need for local or topical anesthesia. The oral brush is by far the most straightforward technique. The dentist uses a brush to extract a cell sample. The dentist then transfers it to a laboratory for deep analysis. This will tell your dentist if a scalpel biopsy is needed.
An oral cancer screening exam will determine if your dentist feels lumps or abnormal tissue in the neck, face, head, or oral cavity. During the examination, your dentist will also analyze if there are sores or any discolored tissue. You will also be asked some questions related to the symptoms and signs previously mentioned. As discussed earlier, tobacco and alcohol consumption are the two most important risk factors for having oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Treatment Options
Oral cancer surgery is widely accepted. About 56% of patients can be treated by surgery only. But then again, the severity of the oral cancer stage determines the treatment options available. Oral cancer treatment often involves three surgical techniques. They are as follows:
- Elimination of cancer that has spread
- Removal of the tumor
- Mouth reconstruction surgery
Radiation therapy may be performed to either destroy or stop the growth and multiplication of the cancer cells. The radiation oncologist or the doctors who specialize in this oral cancer treatment uses radiation. These oncologists can determine the most effective dose for each type of cancer. External beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy are the two types of radiation therapy. External beam radiation therapy is the most popular form of radiation treatment for cancer. A healthcare practitioner uses specialized equipment to direct the high-powered laser beams to precisely target the cancerous tissue.
On the other hand, internal radiation therapy, also called Brachytherapy, involves placing a radioactive seed inside or near the tumor. Brachy is a Greek word that means short. It does not cure the fundamental part of the body but just a tiny area. Another option treatment is chemotherapy which eradicates cancer cells from the body by the use of drugs. However, chemotherapy not only destroys the cancer cells but also tends to damage the healthy ones.
