Mouth (Oral) Cancer

The mouth and oral cancer is not as rare as it may seem because other cancers tend to get more attention. Just like many other cancers, for successful treatment, it is important to detect it early when it can be easily cured.

Mouth (Oral) Cancer Statistics

• Approximately 36,000 Americans are annually diagnosed with mouth and oral cancer
• Mouth (oral) cancer will cause approximately 8,000 deaths
• Of all the people diagnosed with mouth (oral) cancer, only slightly more than half will live over 5 years
• Including cancer of the larynx, number of cases grows to approximately 50,000 individuals, and 13,500 deaths per year in the US alone, with 640,000 new cases found annually

Mouth (oral) cancer death rate is particularly high due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development when the cancer has metastasized, most likely the lymph nodes of the neck. If the tumor is metastatic, at these later stages, the primary tumor has had time to invade deep into local structures. Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because in its early stages it may not be noticed by the patient, as it can grow without producing pain or symptoms.

Mouth (oral) cancer patients who survive a first encounter with the disease, have up to a 20 times higher risk of recurrent cancer. This heightened mouth cancer risk can last for 5 to 10.

Mouth (Oral) Cancer Types

• Squamous cell carcinomas - by far the most common mouth cancer that is 90% of all mouth cancer cases
• Oral Malignant Melanoma
• Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma
• Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Mouth (Oral) Cancer Causes

• Chewing or spit tobacco
• Smoking cigarettes
• Mouth and oral cancer tends to occur more often in men than women and in less affluent populations
• Older age - over 40
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Inflammation - diet low in fruits and vegetables which protect against many types of cancer

Mouth (Oral) Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Dentists or doctors can often detect precursor tissue changes, or the actual cancer while it is its earliest stages. Early stage mouth cancer may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small indurated ulcer which looks like a common canker sore. Many strange-looking tissues are benign. Pay attention to whether any sore is discolored, or does not heal within 14 days. Other symptoms include

• Lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck
• Pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing
• Wart like masses
• Hoarseness or any numbness in the oral/facial region

Diagnosis can be made with a biopsy in the mouth area. Biopsy is not painful, inexpensive, and takes little time.

Mouth (oral) cancer treatment usually involves treatment that depends on the stage of the cancer and condition of the patient

• Chemotherapy with concurrent radiation
• Sometimes surgery