What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a blanket term for multiple kinds of cancer that all take place inside the mouth. It can affect the gums, lips, tongue, roof of the mouth,  and cheeks. What may at first appear to be a simple or common problem doesn't go away if it's oral cancer.

When left untreated, oral cancer can spread to other more serious areas such as the head and the neck. When cancer spreads to the neck, head, and spine areas it can start to affect your neurological system. 

Oral cancer is a serious condition with a survival rate of 66% of people five years after diagnosis.

Who Is At Risk for Oral Cancer?

Squamous cells in your oral cavity can become cancerous and multiply at a rate too fast for your body when they experience changes to their DNA. About 11 in every 100,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer, but White people experience it at a higher rate than other races. 

While anyone can develop oral cancer, there are certain factors and behaviors that put you at greater risk. Most of the people diagnosed with oral cancer have the following behaviors and conditions:

• Cigarette smoking
• Tobacco chewing
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Lack of sunblock on lips in the sun
• HPV
• Oral cancer in family history

Even if you don't have any of these risk factors doesn't mean you're in the clear. 25% of people with oral cancer did not have these risk factors.

What Are the Oral Cancer Symptoms

Successful treatment of oral cancer depends on catching it early, as it becomes harder to treat as the stages progress. For that reason, it's good to have pre-existing knowledge of oral cancer symptoms.

If you notice any of these symptoms, particularly if they do not go away after some time, contact a dentist in Clemmons, NC for another opinion and to refer you to an oral cancer specialist.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a condition in which several white lesions appear on the inside of the mouth. While leukoplakia isn't cancer from the offset, it typically turns into oral cancer within a number of years. It's considered one of the early stages of oral cancer. Non-homogenous leukoplakia (or lesions of all different sizes and shapes) is far more likely to develop into cancer.

Erythroplakia

Erythroplakia is similar to leukoplakia, but the lesions are red instead of white. They can be either raised or flat and typically bleed easily when scraped.

Erythroleukoplakia

Erythroleukoplakia is the combination of leukoplakia or erythroplakia. Your mouth will have both red and white lesions that can be raised or flat. All of these lesions are typically caused by smoking and drinking alcohol and can be quite painful even if they do not progress to a cancerous stage.

Other Physical Symptoms

There are other physical symptoms of oral cancer aside from the scientifically named legions. All of these symptoms are worth having a Dentist Clemmons, NC take a look at even if you do not suspect them of being cancer. They all contribute to the overall health of your mouth.

Any sores in your mouth that bleed and persist after two weeks deserve medical attention. You may experience crustiness on your lips, gums, and even on the inside of your mouth. You could also have bad breath, unexplained weight loss, and areas of your mouth that bleed without cause.

If you experience any discomfort in your mouth, you should bring it up to your dentist. Discomfort includes numbness or pain in your face and neck, difficulty chewing, swallowing, and talking, and earaches.

All of these symptoms can be taken seriously by a good dentist who will either diagnose a problem or refer you to an oral cancer specialist.

Diagnosing Oral Cancer

Once you've seen a dentist about your oral cancer symptoms, and they've referred you to a cancer specialist, you'll go through some tests in order to get a formal diagnosis of cancer. Some combination of any of these tests will be used.

Physical Exam

The first and most basic test for diagnosing oral cancer is a physical exam. The doctor will look in and feel inside your mouth for signs of cancer. They may also examine your face, neck, and head for potential cancer spreads.

Scrape Biopsy

A scrape test is used to harvest cells for further examination and testing. They'll either use a small brush or spatula to remove some skin cells from the inside of your mouth. They will then observe those cells to see their growth.

Incision Biopsy

An incision biopsy removes even more cells than a scrape biopsy. They'll use a small tool to physically cut into and remove some of the potentially cancerous cells.

Laryngoscopy and Pharyngoscopy

A doctor can use an endoscope or a small mirror to view the back of your throat and the base of your tongue. This gives them a better look at all the areas of your mouth to make a full diagnosis.

Catching Symptoms Early to Treat Oral Cancer

By recognizing oral cancer symptoms early, you can make sure that you get treatment quickly and beat your oral cancer. Take up any oral concerns you have with your dentist at your next visit, and be sure to make a consultation if you experience any unexplained sores lasting longer than two weeks.

Are you concerned about the health of your mouth? Reach out to us for an oral cancer screening today!