Welcome to the mouth cancer page!
Whether you or someone you love has mouth cancer, you've come to the right place!
Bookmark us now for the latest infomation on mouth cancer research, mouth cancer
remedies, mouth cancer risk, mouth cancer prevention, screening, symptoms, diagnois,
treatment and support for all people that have mouth cancer
Mouth Cancer Overview
What is Mouth Cancer?
Cancer of the mouth, or "oral cavity", includes that extending back as far as behind the last molar
("wisdom tooth"). This would include the area behind the lips, gums, inside of the cheeks, palate, and front
2/3 of the tongue. The tonsils and back of the tongue are further back, and are located in the "oropharynx".
Thus, cancers of areas behind the last molar are not considered "mouth cancer". Also, cancers of our 3 major
salivary glands (parotid, submaxillary, sublingual) are considered separately, as well as those of the jaw
bones and muscles. Therefore, it is important to identify the area the cancer arose from, even if it
subsequently spread to other areas. It is this area it originally arose from which determines what type of
cancer it is.
How Common is Mouth Cancer?
Each year in the United States there are about 20,000 new cases of mouth cancer leading to 4,000 deaths
annually from this disease. Men are affected twice as often as women. Overall, mouth cancer represents about
3% of all new cancers each year, and it is more common in blacks than whites, and in those of "lower
socioeconomic status" (poor people). The average patient is 60 years old.
What Causes, or Increases Risk for Mouth Cancer?
Like any cancer, the exact reason why one person gets mouth cancer and another does not remains unknown.
However, several"risk factors" have been shown to be much more likely to be present in mouth cancer
patients. These include:
* Tobacco Usage
* Alcohol Usage
* Poor Mouth Hygiene
* lll-Fitting Dentures
* Betel-Nut Chewing
* Infections such as syphilis
* Lowered Immunity
Symptoms
Skin lesion, lump, or ulcer:
* On the tongue, lip, or other mouth area
* Usually small
* Most often pale colored, may be dark or discolored
* May be a deep, hard edged crack in the tissue
* Usually painless initially
* May develop a burning sensation or pain when the tumor is advanced
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
* Tongue problems
* Swallowing difficulty
* Mouth sores
* Abnormal taste
Signs and tests
An examination of the mouth by the health care provider or dentist shows a visible or palpable (can be
felt) lesion of the lip, tongue, or other mouth area. As the tumor enlarges, it may become an ulcer and
bleed. Speech difficulties, chewing problems, or swallowing difficulties may develop, particularly if the
cancer is on the tongue.
A tongue biopsy, gum biopsy, and microscopic examination of the lesion confirm the diagnosis of oral
cancer.
Expectations (prognosis)
Approximately 50% of people with oral cancer will live more than 5 years after diagnosis and treatment.
If the cancer is detected early, before it has spread to other tissues, the cure rate is nearly 75%.
Unfortunately, more than 50% of oral cancers are advanced at the time the cancer is detected. Most have
spread to the throat or neck.
Approximately 25% of people with oral cancer die because of delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Prevention
* Minimize or avoid smoking or other tobacco use.
* Minimize or avoid alcohol use.
* Practice good oral hygiene.
* Have dental problems corrected.
* Have the soft tissue of the mouth examined once a year. Many oral cancers are discovered by routine dental examination.
Mouth Cancer News
Drinking not recognised as mouth cancer cause
13 Nov 2006 at 12:35am
More than one in three Brits admit to alleviating stress by drinking and one in five by smoking, but nearly two out of three were unable to identify both of these as leading causes of mouth cancer, according to a new survey for Mouth Cancer Awareness Week.
Mouth Cancer Foundation Web Site Wins 1st Place For Cancer On The Internet 2006 Award With EUR 10,000 Prize
21 Jun 2006 at 1:00am
The Cancer on the Internet Award 2006 will be presented at the 3rd International Conference on Cancer on the Internet (9-10 July 2006, Washington DC, US) to the Mouth Cancer Foundation for its mouth cancer website www.mouthcancerfoundation.org The Cancer on the Internet Award is an original initiative of the European School of Oncology. [click link for full article]
Web site for people with mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers
30 Jul 2005 at 6:00pm
Mouth Cancer Foundation is a charity solely dedicated to supporting people with mouth, throat and other head & neck cancer face the crisis of cancer... click link for more info.
New campaign against mouth cancer planned
21 Jul 2005 at 12:14am
Cancer Research UK will launch a three-year campaign in November to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms of mouth cancer, with funding from the Department of Health.
Cancer Research UK to run new mouth cancer campaign
24 Jul 2005 at 11:00pm
Cancer Research UK will launch a three-year campaign in November to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms of mouth cancer, with funding from the Department of Health... click link for more info.
Oral Cancer
12 Jul 2006 at 3:09am
Many healthy people who smoke or drink may have a genetic alteration in the cells of the mouth and throat that could signal an increased risk of developing cancer.
A simple inspection of the mouth by trained healthcare workers could reduce oral cancer deaths worldwide by at least 37,000 annually. Oral cancer is a common problem [?]
slp3D: OR-Live.com Presents: Oral Cancer Removal and Innovative Palate Reconstruction
8 May 2006 at 1:09pm
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (MARKET WIRE) Patients undergoing surgery for removal of cancer from the mouth often have large openings in the palate (roof of the mouth) where the cancer had been, leaving them unable to eat, drink or speak normally unless the defect is somehow repaired.
slp3D: REMINDER: OR-Live.com Presents: Oral Cancer Removal and Innovative Palate Reconstruction
16 May 2006 at 5:15am
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (MARKET WIRE) Patients undergoing surgery for removal of cancer from the mouth often have large openings in the palate (roof of the mouth) where the cancer had been, leaving them unable to eat, drink or speak normally unless the defect is somehow repaired.
Mouth may tell the tale of lung damage caused by smoking
12 Apr 2008 at 10:00pm
Cells lining the mouth reflect the molecular damage that smoking does to the lining of the lungs, researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report today at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Scientists Developing Swish-and-Spit Cancer Test
1 Jan 2008 at 11:26pm
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say a new mouth-rinse cancer test holds promise for screening people at high risk for head and neck cancers.
'Swish-and-spit' test accurate for cancer
31 Dec 2007 at 10:00pm
A morning gargle could someday be more than a breath freshener -- it could spot head and neck cancer, say scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Their new study of a mouth rinse that captures genetic signatures common to the disease holds promise for screening those at high risk, including heavy smokers and alcohol drinkers.
Radiation Or Chemoradiation: Which Is Best For Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients With Dysphagia?
25 Sep 2006 at 1:00am
Patients with stage IV oropharyngeal cancer -- a type of cancer that develops in the part of the throat just behind the mouth that assists with breathing, talking, eating, chewing, and swallowing -- are often treated with radiation alone or with chemoradiation. [click link for full article]
Robotic surgery dramatically reduces physical trauma for head & neck cancer patients
14 May 2005 at 6:05am
For patients with cancer of the mouth and throat, surgery is a frequent course of treatment, often leading to speech and swallowing dysfunction and external scarring... click link for more info.
Dr. Helaine Smith Offers Test To Aid Early Detection Of Oral Cancer
25 Jan 2008 at 6:00am
Helaine Smith, DMD is now offering a new diagnostic tool, Vizilite Plus, to aid in the early detection of oral cancer, which includes cancers of the mouth, sinuses, and throat. Studies suggest that people with more than five oral sex partners increase their risk for throat cancer by 250%.
Non-prescription Compound Found In Chillies Destroys Cancer Tumours Safely
10 Jan 2007 at 8:00am
UK scientists have shown that capsaicin, the chemical that burns your mouth when you eat chillies and an active ingredient of over the counter drugs, can kill cancer cells with little or no harmful side-effects.The study is published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. [click link for full article]