The fundamental unit of life; the simplest living unit that can exist, grow, and reproduce independently. The human body is composed of trillions of cells of many kinds.
The genetic material of all living cells and some viruses. The full name is deoxyribonucleic acid.
Entry into the body of microorganisms that can reproduce and cause disease.
Mouth cancer (also known as oral cancer) occurs when abnormal cells of the mouth and the oral cavity (the cheeks, tongue, lips, gums and the roof and floor of the mouth) grow uncontrollably.
Mouth cancers can invade local tissues and/or spread to other parts of the body (metastasize).
Close to 49,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral oropharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 9,750 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 49,750 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. (Approximately 57%) This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. The Oral Cancer Foundation
The fundamental unit of life; the simplest living unit that can exist, grow, and reproduce independently. The human body is composed of trillions of cells of many kinds.
The cause of mouth cancer, as with other cancers, is damage to cellular DNA. Within every cell in our bodies are control mechanisms that regulate the cells' growth, telling it when to multiply and when to stop multiplying. When the DNA of a healthy cell in a body changes (mutates) in such a way that these mechanisms are disrupted, the cell 'loses its brakes' and multiplies uncontrollably. The uncontrolled growth of cells leads to a tumor forming. The cancer cells can sometimes invade nearby tissues, or spread via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to other areas of the body.
The exact cause of most mouth cancers is not well known, but certain factors can increase the risk of developing the condition.
The fundamental unit of life; the simplest living unit that can exist, grow, and reproduce independently. The human body is composed of trillions of cells of many kinds.
The genetic material of all living cells and some viruses. The full name is deoxyribonucleic acid.
A network of vessels, lymph nodes, the spleen and other organs that transport lymph fluid between tissues and bloodstream.
A growth caused by an abnormal and uncontrolled reproduction of cells.
Risk factors for mouth cancer include:
A virus of the herpes family that causes mononucleosis, also known as mono or glandular fever. It is also implicated in some other medical conditions.
A chronic, progressive disease of the gums caused mainly by bacteria and poor oral hygiene. Early stages are generally asymptomatic, with the advanced stages characterized by loss of gum tissue, supporting bone and eventual loss of teeth.
A highly contagious virus that gives rise to cold sores, genital infections, skin and eye lesions, and nervous system disorders. They commonly cause persistent infections.
Entry into the body of microorganisms that can reproduce and cause disease.
There are several types of mouth cancers, depending on the cells that give rise to the cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma originates in the flat cells (known as squamous cells) that mainly line the insides of your mouth, nose and throat. This is the most common type of mouth cancer.
This is a rare type of cancer that develops in the glandular cells of the salivary glands and mouth.
This type of cancer originates in the cells of the skin that produce pigment. Most people think of melanoma as a disease of external skin, but it can also develop in internal areas such as the mouth and nose.
Lymphomas are cancers of the lymph nodes. There are many lymph nodes in the neck. Lymphomas can cause painless swelling of affected lymph nodes.
The fundamental unit of life; the simplest living unit that can exist, grow, and reproduce independently. The human body is composed of trillions of cells of many kinds.
The glands in the mouth that produce saliva (spit).
Treatment outcomes can vary greatly depending on the stage of cancer. Cancer is staged according to the size and location of the cancer, and whether it has spread to nearby or distant lymph nodes throughout the body.
| Stage 0 | Cancerous cells that have not invaded healthy tissues. |
| Stage I | The cancer is smaller than 2cm, and has spread deep into the lining of the tissue in the mouth, but not to nearby lymph nodes. |
| Stage II | The cancer is 2-4cm in size and has not spread to lymph nodes. |
| Stage III | The cancer is larger than 4cm, or has spread to a neighboring lymph node. |
| Stage IVA | The cancer has grown through the tissue around the lip and mouth, and may have spread to lymph nodes. |
| Stage IVB | The cancer has spread to numerous lymph nodes. |
| Stage IVC | The cancer has spread throughout the body to other organs. |
The fundamental unit of life; the simplest living unit that can exist, grow, and reproduce independently. The human body is composed of trillions of cells of many kinds.
A small organ of the lymphatic system containing many immune cells. Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are the sites where many interactions between immune cells and foreign materials occur.
Signs and symptoms of mouth cancer include:
Your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and your symptoms, and examine your mouth. If you have lesions (wounds or sores) in your mouth, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist for further assessment.
Your doctor may ask for scans, such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET), to help identify the exact type and characteristics of the lesion:
For this test, a narrow telescopic camera will be inserted into your throat in order to view it from the inside. You will be sedated during the procedure..
Removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope. A biopsy is the most accurate way of diagnosing a cancer.
Damage to bodily tissue.
The cancer and affected lymph nodes may be surgically removed. There are many techniques for the surgical treatment of mouth cancers. The operation will depend on the location, size and number of lymph nodes affected by the cancer. Occasionally, after the removal of the cancer you may also benefit from plastic and reconstructive surgery that can restore your mouth's or nose's function and/or appearance. Your surgeon will discuss these surgical options with you.
Surgery is often combined with any of the following types of therapy:
Chemotherapy works by attacking cancer cells and stopping them from multiplying. Various drugs are used, which can be given intravenously or orally. They are often given in cycles: treatment for a few days, followed by a break that helps to reduce the treatment side effects.
In this type of therapy, focused X-rays from an external beam radiation source are applied to the area of the cancer. Radiotherapy helps to reduce the recurrence of cancers at their original site. It can occasionally be used on its own for the treatment of very small cancers (stages I or II).
The different types of therapies can be given either before or after surgery:
Adjuvant therapy is therapy that is given after surgery, with the aim of preventing the cancer from returning. It can take the form of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of both.
Like adjuvant therapy, neoadjuvant therapy also takes the form of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, but is provided before surgery.
Mouth cancers are often treated by a team of health professionals including surgeons, oncologists (cancer specialists), radiation oncologists (radiation specialists), speech therapists, dietitians, psychologists and social workers. They help to prepare for treatment, coordinate therapies and assist in your rehabilitation. They are likely to review you periodically in the years following your treatment, to look out for any signs of the cancer recurring, and to assist in your recovery.
Some people diagnosed with cancer seek out complementary and alternative therapies. None of these alternative therapies are known to cure cancer, but some can help people feel better when used together with conventional medical treatment. It is important to discuss any treatments with your doctor before starting them.
The fundamental unit of life; the simplest living unit that can exist, grow, and reproduce independently. The human body is composed of trillions of cells of many kinds.
A medication-based treatment, usually used in the treatment of cancers. There are numerous, different types of chemotherapy drugs that can be prescribed by a specialist. These can commonly be used alongside other cancer treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy.
Within a vein.
A treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill or control growth of malignant cancer cells.
Advanced mouth cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
Mouth cancer can cause difficulty in swallowing of some or all types of food and drinks. This is known as dysphagia. You may experience choking or coughing when swallowing, have a sensation that something is stuck in your throat, or bring food back up through the nose.
The side effects of treatment for mouth cancer include:
A medication-based treatment, usually used in the treatment of cancers. There are numerous, different types of chemotherapy drugs that can be prescribed by a specialist. These can commonly be used alongside other cancer treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy.
A state of exhaustion and weakness.
Entry into the body of microorganisms that can reproduce and cause disease.
A network of vessels, lymph nodes, the spleen and other organs that transport lymph fluid between tissues and bloodstream.
A sensation of sickness and unease, typically felt in the stomach, often accompanied by the urge to vomit. Nausea is a common symptom with many possible causes.
A treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill or control growth of malignant cancer cells.
A large gland located in the lower front part of the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, especially during childhood.
The glands in the mouth that produce saliva (spit).
Your prognosis will vary according to the specific type of cancer you have, and to the stage it has progressed.
It is important to remember that survival rates are only an indication; they are based upon the averages of previously treated patients. It is not a reflection of the prognosis for an individual. It is often difficult to accurately predict an individual's chance of cure or survival. Constant advances in treatment are continually improving the odds of cure and long-term survival from mouth cancer.
You can reduce your risk of getting mouth cancer by not smoking, minimizing alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, and using protection during oral sex (HPV and HSV are sexually-transmitted viruses, so you can lower your risk of infection with these viruses by practicing safe oral sex). Folate has been found to offer some protective effect against developing oral cancer. [3]
A highly contagious virus that gives rise to cold sores, genital infections, skin and eye lesions, and nervous system disorders. They commonly cause persistent infections.
Entry into the body of microorganisms that can reproduce and cause disease.
Pelucchi, C., R. Talamini, E. Negri, F. Levi, E. Conti, S. Franceschi, and C. La Vecchia. “Folate Intake and Risk of Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer.” Annals of Oncology 14, no. 11 (November 1, 2003): 1677–81. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdg448.