Oral cancer causes and Treatment

 What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, is a subtype of head and neck cancer that occurs in the oral cavity. About 90 percent of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which arise in the tissues lining the mouth and lips. It most commonly affects the tongue. 

Causes of oral cancer

Smoking and drinking

Smoking and drinking contain carcinogens that can damage cells. DNA, leading to cancer. Heavy smokers and heavy drinkers have a significantly higher risk of oral cancer. For example, someone who smokes 40 cigarettes a day and drinks 30 pints of beer a week is 38 times more likely to develop oral cancer than others.

 

Saffron

Betel nuts, the mildly intoxicating seeds of the betel palm tree, have a stimulant effect similar to coffee. They are carcinogenic and may increase the risk of oral cancer. As a result, oral cancer rates are higher in regions where the spice is traditionally consumed.

 

Smokeless tobacco

Asbestos can cause a variety of lung diseases, including lung cancer and pleural cancer. Smoking and asbestos together significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer of the pleura, can affect the lungs, heart, or abdomen.

 

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a family of viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of the cervix, anus, mouth, and throat. It is spread through close skin-to-skin contact, not just sexual intercourse. Some HPV types can cause abnormal tissue growth and cell changes, which can potentially lead to cervical cancer.

 

Diet

There is evidence that red meat, processed foods, and fried foods may increase your risk of oral cancer.

 

GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease)

People with acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, have an increased risk of oral cancer. Exposure to certain minerals and chemicals, such as asbestos, sulfuric acid, and formaldehyde, also increases the risk of oral cancer.

 

Poor oral hygiene

There is evidence that poor oral hygiene, such as having cavities, gum disease, not brushing your teeth regularly, and having ill-fitting dentures, can increase your risk of oral cancer.

 

Symptoms of oral cancer

Symptoms of oral cancer can be difficult to detect in the early stages. Smokers and heavy drinkers should visit their dentist for regular checkups. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

 

Spots on the lining of the mouth or tongue, usually red or red and white

Mouth ulcers that don't go away

Swelling in the mouth that lasts more than three weeks

A lump or thickening of the skin or lining of the mouth

Pain when swallowing

Loss of a tooth(s) without an obvious cause

Jaw pain

Jaw stiffness

Sore throat

Sore tongue

A hoarse voice

Neck pain that doesn't go away

Unusual weight loss

Unusual changes in taste

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Unexplained bleeding in the mouth

Unexplained numbness, loss of sensation, or pain

 

Diagnosing Oral Cancer

To determine if a lesion is cancerous, a doctor will perform a biopsy by removing a small sample of tissue to examine for cancer cells. There are three main biopsy methods for suspected oral cancer:

 

Punch biopsy

A punch biopsy is used for accessible areas, such as the tongue or inside of the mouth. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, the doctor removes a small piece of tissue with forceps. The procedure is not painful.

 

Fine needle aspiration (FNA)

A fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is used if a neck lump is suspected to be caused by oral cancer. The doctor inserts a needle into the lump to remove a small sample of tissue and fluid, which is then tested for cancer cells.

 

Panendoscopy

A panendoscopy is performed to biopsy suspicious tissue in the back of the throat or nasal cavity. Using a panendoscope, which includes a camera and light, the doctor guides it through the nose to remove a tissue sample for biopsy and to check for cancer.

 

Other tests

If the biopsy results are positive, further tests will need to be done to check how far it is and how far it has spread. These tests will include any of the following:

 

MRI scan

MRI is a radiology technique that provides detailed visualization of the internal structure of the body. It produces more detailed images than X-rays and does not use ionizing radiation. Patients are placed inside a large magnet, aligning atomic nuclei in the body. Radiofrequency magnetic fields are then applied to create rotating magnetic fields that can be detected by the scanner. This information creates images of the scanned area, creating a 2D or 3D volume. MRI's contrast between soft tissues is particularly useful for imaging the brain, muscle, heart, and cancer compared to CT or X-ray.

 

CT Scan

A CT scanner sends narrow beams of light through the body as it moves in an arc, unlike X-ray machines. CT scans produce more detailed images than X-rays, with the X-ray detector picking up hundreds of levels of density. The data is sent to a computer, which creates a 3D cross-section that is displayed on a screen. Contrast may be used for clearer images, and in some cases, patients drink a barium meal for an abdominal scan or take a barium enema to image the lower body.

 

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

PET scanning is a nuclear imaging technique that produces 3D images of active processes in the body. It detects pairs of gamma rays emitted by a positron-emitting tracer, which is introduced into the body as a biologically active molecule. Computer analysis establishes the concentration of the tracer within the body.

 

Oral Cancer Treatment

Depending on the stage of oral cancer, your doctor will recommend one of the following methods to treat the cancer cells.

 

Surgery

The most common treatment for oral cancer is surgery, depending on the size and location of the cancer. The goal of surgery is to completely remove the cancer or to reduce symptoms in advanced stages (palliative surgery). Laser surgery can remove small oral cancers and can be combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

 

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a treatment that uses high-energy radiation beams that are focused on cancerous tissue. It kills cancer cells or stops cancer cells from growing.

 

External beam radiation therapy:

This is where the radiation is directed at the cancer from the machine. (This is the most common type of radiation therapy used for many types of cancer).

 

Internal beam radiation therapy:

This treatment involves placing small radioactive wires near the cancer site for a short time and then removing them.

 

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. It may be used with surgery or radiation therapy and may be recommended for cancers that have spread. Treatment for oral cancer depends on factors such as the location, size, type, and stage of the tumor, and may include surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination.