Cancers of the Mouth
What kinds of cancers are found in the mouth?Cancers of the mouth are defined as those seen in the areas of the lips, tongue, upper and lower jaws, alveolar mucosa, palate, floor of the mouth and throat. While one-third of mouth cancers develop in the throat area, the remaining two-thirds appear in the oral cavity. Cancers of the mouth comprise 2-4 percent of all incidences of cancer.
It is known that 95 percent of cancer patients are over the age of 40 and that the average age upon diagnosis is 60 years old. The ratio between the occurrence in men and women is fifty-fifty. It is accepted that the primary causes in 75 percent of cases are cigarettes and alcohol.
Swelling and spots, cracks (painful or not) or ulcers present in the mouth over a long period of time that show no signs of healing could be the first symptoms of cancer. A developing tumor may not cause pain but it can create ulcers that lead to bleeding. Cancer of the tongue is usually painful and makes the tongue hard and inflexible. It can cause difficulty in speech and swallowing as well as numbness. Constant white spots (leukoplakia) and red spots (erythroplakia) may be precancerous lesions. It is very dangerous to hold a piece of chewing tobacco in one area of the mouth for a long period of time. This behavior is seen as the cause of precancerous leukoplakia.
Among other factors that can trigger cancers of the mouth are excessive alcohol consumption (especially hard liquors) as well as consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes at the same time. With alcohol the body absorbs carcinogens from cigarette smoke at a higher rate, so their simultaneous consumption is an important factor. Other factors include insecurely attached artificial teeth, poor dental hygiene (especially for rough or sharp teeth), and constant abrasion to the tongue from the sharp edges of teeth.
A doctor must be informed of any swelling or change in mouth tisse that does not heal within a month. A direct examination or biopsy of a lesion can allow for a diagnosis. A computer tomography or MRI can help to determine whether or not the cancer is affecting bones or any other areas.
Treatment of all cancerous tissues may consist of surgical extraction, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these methods. The treatment method(s) are determined based on the type of tumor, the stage of the disease’s development and the patient’s condition. At the same time, the order of these treatments may vary depending on circumstances.
