Oral Cancer: is the growth of abnormal cells in any part of the mouth or lips. Most oral cancers start in the lining of the lips or mouth where you have thin, flat cells squamous cells. This type of cancer is called oral cavity cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.
Risk factors:
- Smoking (or using smokeless tobacco)
- Heavy alcohol use
- Being male
- Using Marijuana
- Having human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds-cancer of the lips, exposure over a long period of time
Symptoms:
- A sore on your lip or in your mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal
- A lump or thickening on your lips, gingiva (gums), cheeks, or in your mouth,
- A white or red patch on your gingiva (gums), tongue, tonsils, or the lining of your mouth.
- A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in your throat.
- Unexplained difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue.
- Numbness or pain in your tongue or other areas of your lips or mouth.
- Swelling in your jaw that makes your teeth loose or your dentures fit poorly.
- Changes in your voice.
- Dry mouth (Xerostomia)
** Other tests may be needed if there are possible signs of cancer, such as a biopsy, an X-ray, or an MRI.
*** Oral cancer is usually treated with surgery & radiation therapy. Your treatment will depend on the stage of your cancer and your health factors. Chemotherapy may also be necessary.
For more information, please visit the National Cancer Institute website :www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/oral
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