Information From Your Health Care Provider

ORAL CANCER

Basic information

description

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth or the part of the throat at the back of the mouth (oropharynx). It can involve the lips, gums, palate (roof of the mouth), tongue, membranes inside the lip or cheek, floor of the mouth, and tonsils. It is more common in adults over 40 and in males more than females.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. It may be found during a routine mouth or dental exam.
Lump or bump in the mouth, throat, or on the lip.
Red, white, or speckled patch in the mouth or on the tongue.
Sore throat or mouth sore that does not heal.
Pain, bleeding, or numbness in the mouth.
Difficulty in speaking, chewing, or swallowing.
Feeling that something is caught in the throat.
Hoarseness or a change in voice.
Ear ache or pain.
Lump in the neck if lymph nodes are involved.

causes

The exact cause is unknown. There are certain known risk factors.

risk increases with

Use of tobacco in any form (including smokeless).
Excess alcohol use.
Having human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Sun exposure (cancer on the lip).
Family history of cancer.
Exposure to certain toxins or x-rays, poor oral hygiene, poorly-fitting dentures, previous head or neck cancer, chewing betel nut, or poor nutrition (diet low in fruits and vegetables) may increase the risk.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Don't use tobacco in any form. Drink alcohol in moderate amounts, if at all.
Have your dental care provider or health care provider perform routine exams of mouth and throat.
Practice good oral hygiene and eat a healthy diet.

expected outcomes

Recovery depends on where the cancer is located, if it has spread, and patient's general health. The outcome is more favorable with early diagnosis, as compared to diagnosis of advanced disease.

possible complications

Treatments can lead to complications.
Face, head, or neck may be disfigured by surgery.
Speech and swallowing problems.
Cancer may recur or spread.
The five-year survival rate is about 60%.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do an exam of the mouth and throat area. Questions will be asked about risk factors (e.g., smoking and alcohol use). A number of medical tests will be done. The tests help diagnose the cancer and then determine if it has spread (staging).
Treatment will depend on location of the cancer, if the cancer has spread, and the patient's age and health.
The main treatments are surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Additional options are targeted therapy (which uses drugs/agents to attack specific cancer cells) and experimental treatments. All options will be discussed with you. Treatment can affect your appearance and ability to eat, talk, and breathe.
Surgery to remove the cancer is a common treatment. If needed, reconstructive surgery can be done on the oral cavity or facial features.
Follow-up therapy may be needed to help adjust to new ways of eating and talking.
Dental care before, during, and after treatments will be needed to maintain good oral health.
Patients need to stop smoking and avoid alcohol use.
To learn more: Oral Cancer Foundation, 3419 Via Lido #205, Newport Beach, CA 92663; (949) 646-8000 (not toll-free); website: oralcancerfoundation.org.

medications

Anticancer (chemotherapy) drugs or targeted therapy drugs/agents may be prescribed.
Drugs may be prescribed for side effects of therapy.

activity

Resume your normal activities gradually after surgery.

diet

Depends on the extent of the disease and your ability to chew or swallow. A soft diet may be required.
May need a liquid diet for a few days after surgery.

notify our office if

You or a family member has any symptoms of oral cancer that do not heal within two weeks.
Symptoms occur with treatment that cause concern.