According to the American Cancer Society, the USA may see about 54,000 new cases and 11,230 deaths from the oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2022. Depending upon the organ and SEER stage, its 5-year survival rate ranges between 94%-20%. Prevention is better than cure. Here's all you should know to prevent oral cancer.
What is oral cancer?
It refers to an uncontrolled cell division in the tongue, gums, floors of the mouth, around lips, salivary glands, and other parts of the mouth. Oropharyngeal cancer affects the tonsils, soft tissue palate, and the side and back walls of the throat. Unrestrained cell division results from a gene mutation, which usually inhibits regulated systems, such as cell cycle arrest or programmed cell death.
What are the causes of oral cancer?
Research is underway to find out the exact cause of oral cancer. However, doctors have identified the following factors that put you at an increased risk of mouth cancer.
• Tobacco consumption includes smoking, chewing tobacco, and inhaling dried tobacco.
• Drinking excessive alcohol
• Prolonged sun exposure to your lips
• Sexually transmitted Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Weak immune system
What are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
Early signs and symptoms of oral and oropharyngeal cancer include one or more of the following:
• Chronic pain in the mouth
• A non-healing or recurring sore on the lip or in the mouth
• A thickening or lump on the lips, in the mouth, or cheek
• A lump or knot at the back of the throat or neck
• A white, red, blackish, or greyish patch on the lining of the mouth, gums, tongue, or tonsil
• Constantly feeling a lump in the throat
• Sore throat that doesn't go away
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or talking
• Trouble moving the tongue
• Swelling and stiffness in the jaw
• Tooth loss or chronic toothache
• Numbness in any part of the mouth
• Dentures losing shape or fit
• Voice changes
• Pain in the ear
• Weight loss
These symptoms may also indicate some other disease. In any case, you must see a doctor if any of the symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
What are the medical tests to diagnose oral or oropharyngeal cancer?
Diagnostic tests for oral or oropharyngeal cancer include physical examination, endoscopy (including laryngoscopy, pharyngoscopy, and nasopharyngoscopy), biopsy, oral brush biopsy, X-ray, CT, or CAT scan, HPV testing, and barium swallow/modified barium swallow. Doctors recommend tests based on the following information.
• Cancer type suspected
• Your signs and symptoms
• Your age and health condition
• The results of medical tests done earlier
What is the treatment for oral or oropharyngeal cancer?
The treatment depends on the stage of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. For stage 0, when the tumor is localized and has not started to grow into the deeper tissues, the first-line treatment includes thin resection, surgical stripping, or Mohs surgery. After that, doctors use radiation therapy and these procedures if cancer recurs.
For stages I and II, the treatment comprises a mix of surgery, radiation, or chemoradiation (combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy). It also depends on the affected part of your mouth and the side effects of the treatment. Radiation is preferred to surgery for patients who can't get surgery because of other medical issues.
The next stage comprises stages III and IVA. These are bigger and more widespread cancerous growth in the gums, front of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, inside of the cheek, and hard palate. At this stage, oral cancer is likely to have spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. That is why doctors perform surgery first to remove some of the neck lymph nodes and then go for radiation alone or chemoradiation.
• The last stages of oral and oropharyngeal cancers are stages IVB and IVC.
• At IVB, the cancerous cells have affected nearby structures, tissues, and lymph nodes. Stage IVC means cancer has metastasized, which means it has spread to other parts of the body. Lungs are the commonly affected parts when oral cancer metastasizes. For stage IVB, chemotherapy alone or chemoradiation is the treatment option. Doctors use chemotherapy alone or a mix of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat stage IVC cancers. After some improvement, they may also consider radiation to prevent new growths.
How to prevent oral and oropharyngeal cancer?
There's no proven solution to preventing mouth cancer. However, the following tips help reduce its risk.
Do not use tobacco products
If you take tobacco in any form, stop right away. If you don't, never start taking it. Tobacco has 69 cancer-causing chemicals and 181 other harmful chemicals. It not only exposes the cells in your mouth to dangerous carcinogenic substances but also puts your overall health at risk. This weakens your immunity, increasing your susceptibility to oral cancer and many other diseases.
Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol overload eventually irritates the cells in your mouth, creating an ideal environment for the onset of mouth cancer. If you like drinking, do so in moderation. It means no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. If you have any health condition that alcohol can aggravate, consult your doctor before following these recommendations.
Use a lip balm with an SPF
Do not forget to use a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more on your lips. Using SPF does not mean you can stay out in the sun all day long. Avoid excessive sun exposure by staying indoors between 11 am to 3 pm, or wear a broad-brimmed hat if you have to go out during the day.
Visit your dentist regularly
Being a trained professional, your dentist can notice the slightest changes in your mouth. This helps detect abnormal changes that may indicate mouth cancer or precancerous growth in time. Regular dental check-ups also ensure good oral health otherwise. If expenses have been a hindrance, check if your insurance covers dental healthcare check-ups and procedures, or look for reliable and affordable dentists in Bonita.
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