What is mouth cancer? Have you any idea about its causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment.

It is a cancer that occurs when the cells in the mouth produce too much of a protein called mucin, which makes it hard for your body to breathe through your mouth, causing the cancer cells to grow and spread to other areas of your body.

Mouth cancer is common in developing countries. A 2007 study of oral cancers in 20 countries found a cancer rate of 7.2 per 100,000 people.

Causes of mouth cancer

The main cause of mouth cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infections usually go away on their own, but they can sometimes turn into cancer. In many cases, the mouth cancer doesn’t have any other symptoms.

More than 85% of the oral cancers were caused by HPV, but other factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, hepatitis C or a history of dental surgery were also contributory.

The most common HPV-related oral cancer in men is oropharyngeal cancer, according to the US National Library of Medicine.

About one in every three oral cancers in women was caused by HPV.

Smoking

Tobacco smoking has been associated with mouth and neck cancers. Tobacco smoking has been associated with mouth and neck cancers.

Tobacco smoking has been associated with some types of oral cancer, including:

small cell carcinoma of the squamous cell gums, tongue, tonsils, or throat

keloid granuloma of the mouth and neck

keratinoma of the tongue

Symptoms of mouth cancer

Symptoms of mouth cancer that can be seen include:

a lump or ulcer on the tongue

an unusual sore on the upper roof of the mouth cavity

a lump or ulcer in the throat

redness of the lips

skin rash on the mouth or lips

What to do about mouth cancer?

If a person notices any of these symptoms of mouth cancer, they should speak to their doctor.

If a doctor finds cancerous cells on the tongue, this is the only sure way to determine whether mouth cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Depending on the location and grade of the cancer, a doctor may recommend either a procedure that involves cutting the head of the tongue or using radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.

A doctor will examine the individual’s risk factors for getting mouth cancer.

Types of mouth cancer

There are two main types of oral cancer - squamous cell carcinoma and, in men, and serous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer and accounts for more than 85% of all oral cancers in both men and women.

It usually starts as a small lump at the back of the mouth. It can grow and invade into the mouth, larynx, nose and throat, making it difficult to breathe and eat.

Diagnosis of mouth cancer

Diagnosing mouth cancer usually requires biopsy, which involves a small piece of tissue being taken from the affected area of the tongue.

How to reduce the risk of mouth cancer?

How to prevent from mouth cancer?

Try to get rid of smoking completely or avoid it as much as possible

The second-leading cause of oral cancer in India is smoking. So, one should know that smoking has the highest cancer risk factor followed by alcohol and red meat.

Stay away from chewing tobacco

For every person who uses chewing tobacco, mouth cancer risk increases. In fact, if one continues with this habit, the risk of mouth cancer increases even more.

Quit alcohol and tobacco

Stop using these substances for the best effect. People should know that alcohol increases the risk of getting mouth cancer by 60 per cent.

Stop using conventional toothpaste

A range of toothpastes contain chemicals that increase the risk of getting mouth cancer. People should go for natural toothpaste.

Regular dental check-ups

It is always a good practice to go for a regular dental checkup. One should learn how to do it easily and understand their responsibilities towards their oral health.

Seek medical advice from a dentist

Ask a dentist or hygienist for a checkup and routine consultation.

Apart from brushing and flossing, people can also go for white sesame paste. The paste contains sorbitol and is a strong antimicrobial agent. It also contains zinc, which prevents bacteria and protect the gums from future damage.

Women should also pay special attention to their mouth health and should go for the regular oral exams.

Oral cancer screening

Women, in general, have a higher risk of getting oral cancer. The screening should be done by a dentist or hygienist regularly.

However, the risk of mouth cancer can be reduced by the following:

avoiding smoking

using protection when sharing a drink with someone who has been drinking

maintaining good oral hygiene

People with a family history of mouth cancer should get regularly screened.

What are the treatment options?

There are a variety of treatment options available for mouth cancer, including:

Lumpectomy or excision: this is the removal of a small section of tissue around the tumor, leaving a scar

this is the removal of a small section of tissue around the tumor, leaving a scar Total removal of the tumor (total mastectomy): this involves the removal of the entire tumor, including the skin, muscles, and lymph nodes

this involves the removal of the entire tumor, including the skin, muscles, and lymph nodes Grafting or taking part of a tissue sample from a healthy part of the body: in this case, the healthy tissue would be taken from the back of the neck or abdomen

in this case, the healthy tissue would be taken from the back of the neck or abdomen A combination of the above treatments: this would involve the removal of the entire tumor and part of the healthy tissue, then a combination of the above treatments

Anyone with mouth cancer will often need to be treated for six to twelve months.

Takeaway

A mouth ulcer can result in a cancerous lesion on the tongue. For this reason, it is a good idea to check a mouth ulcer for signs of cancer regularly, particularly if it appears in an unusual place or on a different part of the tongue.