Oral cancer
What is it, how is it detected and how is it treated?
Also known as oral cancer or oral malignant tumor, oral cancer manifests as a swelling or lesion of the lining of the mouth that does not heal, caused by the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. According to Dent Estet specialist, Vanda Popa, Doctor of Medical Sciences and specialist in Periodontology, oral cancer can occur in several places in the oral cavity. It can be found on the surface, edges or dorsum of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the hard or soft palate of the mouth, the upper lip, as well as on the gums or inside the jaws. Symptoms of this type of cancer are not visible to the naked eye in the early stages, and its spread is rarely associated with acute pain.What types of oral cancer are there
Found in the doctor's surgery, sometimes even during [dental treatment](), oral cancer can occur in men and women of any age, but especially in people over 45. ###Carcinoma One of the most common types of cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. In squamous cell carcinoma, the flat cells that normally line the inside of the cheeks, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, and throat have an abnormal appearance. It most commonly affects men aged 55-65 and women aged 50-75.
### Adenocarcinoma Formed in glands that secrete substances inside or outside the body, oral adenocarcinoma mainly affects the minor salivary glands covering the mouth and throat.
### Sarcoma About 80% of all these malignant tumors are found in the soft tissues. Developed in the submucosa of the oral cavity, this variation of malignant tumors is also known as Kaposi's sarcoma. Common in the elderly, particularly males, sarcoma has a slow progression that can last up to 15 years. The presence of the HIV virus in the body is a factor favoring the development of this type of cancer.
### Melanoma Localized in the cells that produce skin pigment, also known as melanocytes, this type of cancer manifests as swollen, dark, malignant lesions that can sometimes be accompanied by bleeding.
### Lymphoma Although this cancer usually occurs in cells in the lymph nodes, it can also occur in the oral cavity. Developed in the lymphatic tissues, these oral cancers also affect other areas with lymphoid tissue, such as the tonsils and the base of the tongue.
What causes the condition
Twice as common in men as women, oral or oropharyngeal cancer occurs at an average age of 62. Two thirds of individuals affected by this serious condition are over 55. Causes of oral cancer include both lifestyle influences and genetic inheritance. ###Predispositions Fanconi anemia is a blood disorder caused by inborn abnormalities that can lead to leukemia or aplastic anemia. The oral cancer risk of a person who already has Fanconi anemia is up to 500 times higher than normal. Dyskeratosis congenita is another generic syndrome that can cause aplastic anemia and can lead to oral cancers from an early age
### Smoking The habit of smoking cigarettes, cigars and even pipe tobacco is not only harmful to the lungs, but also to the health of the tissues in the oral cavity. The immediate effect of smoking is lowered immunity and slower recovery from surgery. The larynx, throat, oesophagus and the membranes lining the tongue, throat and lips are 50% more likely to develop cancer in a smoker.
### Excessive alcohol consumption Reducing alcohol consumption or even eliminating it from your lifestyle is one of the factors that reduce the risk of oral cancer. The ethanol and acetaldehyde in alcohol have a direct effect on the growth of cancer cells in the tissues of the oral cavity.
### Unbalanced diet Lack of a diverse, healthy and balanced diet is one of the risk factors for oral cancer. Including a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet and avoiding highly processed foods is a simple way to reduce the risk of oral cancer.
### Prolonged sun exposure Excessive hours spent in strong sunlight is one of the most dangerous risk factors for oral cancer. The incidence of lip lesions is higher in younger people.
### Papilloma virus The human papilloma virus affects the skin and moist membranes lining the organs, oral cavity and throat. Infection with HPV, which can be transmitted through normal sexual or oral contact, as well as through the skin, causes uncontrolled multiplication of cells in the tissues, and is another factor that can cause oral cancer.
### Recurrent oral mucosal lesions Oral cancer can in some cases be caused by persistent injuries to the lining of the mouth caused by sharp edges of damaged dentures or imperfect dentures.
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Signs of oral cancer include the following: - inflammation that does not heal; - pain that does not improve; - bad breath; - Teeth falling out; - swelling or inflammation of the lips; - difficulty or painful sensations when swallowing; - bleeding or numbness of the mouth; - slurred speech; - sudden weight loss.What screening methods exist
In fortunate cases, many of the symptoms of oral cancer can herald other, less serious conditions. For a clear-cut situation, a check-up at least once a year is recommended. With early detection of oral cancer, survival rates can increase by about 80%.
### Biopsy If symptoms suggestive of oral cancer are present on a portion of the tissue, samples will be taken. The specialist will send the tissue sample to the testing laboratory for biopsy. The procedure, based on microscopic analysis of the suspicious cells, reveals any cancerous and pre-cancerous changes that may occur.
### Blood tests Electrophoresis of proteins of the immune system is helpful in detecting immunoglobulin abnormalities, and tests for tumor markers can reveal oral cancer. The results of these types of tests must be interpreted with care and their accuracy is variable, depending on the current state of the body and the diet the patient is following during the testing period.
### Imaging tests With the help of conventional and computed tomography X-rays, MRI scans and positron emission tomography scans, the specialist can determine the extent of the spread of cancer cells on the surface of the oral cavity.
How to treat oral cancer
If the tests confirm oral cancer, the treatment of this condition should be carried out in accordance with the specialist's recommendations. The most commonly used methods include: Surgery: this procedure removes the tumor focus, along with a portion of the surrounding tissue. Depending on the stage of the tumors and where they have grown, some people may require repeated surgery. Radiotherapy: Complementary to surgery, radiotherapy consists of external irradiation with high-energy X-rays or protons. Internal irradiation uses a radioactive implant placed in the target tissues affected by the cancer. Irrespective of the type of radiotherapy, there are side-effects such as speech and chewing difficulties, hearing loss, hypothyroidism and other similar manifestations. Chemotherapy: in advanced cancers, chemotherapy is given before surgery or radiotherapy over several months. The drugs that are part of the treatment are given orally or by injection and work by slowing or even blocking the growth of cancer cells. ###Statistics and prognosis Oral cancer is one of the world's leading cancer killers. Among the parts most commonly affected are the lips, gums, tongue and roof of the mouth. According to an analysis by the National Centre for Health Evaluation and Promotion, Europe accounts for 23.4% of global cancer cases and 20.3% of cancer deaths, compared with only 9.0% of the global population. At national level, the estimated figure for cancer deaths is 50 902 people, but at least a third of the most common cancers are preventable. ###
What prevention methods are available The grim spectre of cancer is reason enough for major lifestyle changes. If you don't know exactly where to start in order to minimize the risks of such a disease as much as possible, you can follow a few simple steps: - Quit smoking to stop the effect of chemical compounds on the cells of the oral cavity; - Drink alcohol in moderation to reduce irritation of mouth cells; - Include fruits and vegetables in your diet for a steady dose of antioxidants; - Avoid excessive exposure to the sun and protect your lips with sunscreen balm; - Visit your dentist regularly for early detection of cancerous lesions.