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.