They say the mouth is an unlikely place for a cancer to grow, because people are more used to the idea of cancers growing in areas like the breast and the internal organs like the intestines, liver or prostrate. However, unlikely as they may think it is, the mouth is capable of contracting oral cancer.
Oral cancer can start to grow in any part of the mouth. It can grow on the lips or the tongue, but can also occur in the lining of the cheek, the mouth floors, the gums or the palate. Wherever they may start, all oral cancer cells are called squamous cell carcinoma and have the same appearance when viewed under a microscope. Oral cancers are very malignant. You can expect it to worsen quickly as the cells can quickly spread and affect neighboring cells so you better point out signs of oral cancer fast!
Signs of oral cancer
Oral cancer can have several signs. These signs may include:
- White or red patches inside the mouth that persist for more than 2 weeks.
- Persistent discomfort or pain in the mouth.
- A lump appears in the lips, tongue or in the mouth.
- The mouth feels numb.
- Unexplained bleeding occurs in the mouth.
- Painful chewing or swallowing of food.
- Possible difficulty in speaking, or a change in vocal patterns entirely.
- A lump grows in the neck.
- Unusual loss of weight.
Causes of Oral Cancer
Experts widely agree that a person’s lifestyle is the main factor in contracting not just oral cancer, but just about any type of cancer that there is.
The main cause of oral cancer – but not the only one – is excessive consumption of cigarettes and tobacco. Many people may not know it, but the constitution of tobacco is made up of more than 19 carcinogens. If these carcinogens are ingested and triggered in the mouth, oral cancer may develop. When people say consumption, it is not only limited to smoking. The act of chomping on tobacco itself can also be a factor for oral cancer.
Chewing other things like betel or paan can also lead to the development of oral cancer. In fact, the practice is so widespread in India that 40% of the country’s cancer patients are suffering from oral cancer. In contrast, places where the practice is not common like the United Kingdom has oral cancer patients making up only 4% of the cancer patient population.
Excessive consumption of alcohol may also be a precursor to oral cancer. The risks increase when the vice is coupled with heavy use of cigarettes and tobacco.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Oral cancer can be treated when detected early on, just like any form of cancer. For example, the patches on the mouth are in the pre-malignant stage before it develops into cancer. This can be treated if spotted early.
Diagnosis is mostly done by removal of a sample – a suspected lesion in the patient’s mouth – by a dentist or any medical professional. The sample is then looked at a microscope to determine malignancy. When a tumor is detected, the tumor may be surgically removed if small enough. If the cancer is at an advanced stage, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be performed.