What is Mouth Cancer - Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment

• Written by Anjali Sharma

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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Mouth cancer has become one of the most common diseases that grapple millions of people around the world every year. 

Oral cancer is a malignant disease affecting the oral cavity; i.e., the lips, cheeks, tongue, base of the mouth, hard and soft palates, sinuses, and throat. Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or drinking alcohol are the primary causes of the oral cancer. It poses a significant health risk;  if mouth cancer symptoms are spotted late, the cancerous cells can impact the patient’s head and neck area. However, early detection and intervention can significantly lessen the risk of the patient’s death and increase the chances of cancer reversal.  

Let’s discuss in detail to learn about mouth cancer or oral cancer, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment. 

What is Mouth Cancer?

Mouth cancer, often referred to as oral cancer or cancer of the oral cavity, encompasses a range of cancers that arise within the mouth. These cancers usually manifest on the lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth, but they can also emerge in the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tonsils, and salivary glands. As a subset of head and neck cancers, mouth cancers carry significant health implications.  These are the precancerous mouth cancer signs that signal the mouth cancer's starting stage. However, on-time diagnosis can help in detecting early stage cheek and mouth cancer. This enhances the chances of mouth cancer reversal. Otherwise, this is a life-threatening condition like other forms of cancer. It can spread to the other organs of your body and make them cancerous. 

What are Mouth Cancer Symptoms? 

Some common mouth or throat cancer symptoms include: 

• Swelling or lump in the mouth, jaw, or neck
• Sores in the mouth or lips that bleed
• White or patches inside the mouth
• A mouth ulcer that does not heal
• Loose teeth
• Numbness of tongue or mouth
• Trouble in swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss. 

What are the Common Mouth Cancer Causes?

The most probable mouth cancer causes include:

• Chewing tobacco
• Smoking cigarettes 
• Drinking alcohol
• Excessive exposure to the sun
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Family history of cancer
• Epstein Barr virus 
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Poor oral hygiene.

Mouth Cancer Stages

With the help of diagnostic tests such as incisional biopsy and laryngoscopy, the healthcare professional identifies the mouth cancer or throat cancer stages. Based on the detected mouth cancer stage, the treatment is given to the cancer patient to prevent the further progression of the disease. It suggests to them how much the cancer has grown in the mouth and has expanded to other organs of the body.  

Usually, mouth cancer is staged with the acronym TNM. It stands for Timor, Node and Metastasis, which further describes cancer stages as:

T – Denotes the location and size of the tumour

N- If the tumour has grown to lymph nodes

M- When cancer cells are metastasised and have made other organs of the body cancerous

Go over the following points to understand the size of the tumour:

T1: Located in the mouth only; its tumour size is only 2 cm or less

T2: The size of the tumour is between 2 cm and 4 cm

T3: The size of the tumour is more than 4 cm

Mouth Cancer Treatment

Based on the precancerous mouth cancer symptoms, the healthcare professional recommends diagnosis tests for mouth or throat cancer-affected patients. Once they detect the exact stage, they recommend the following mouth cancer treatment to the patients: 

Surgery

Depending on the severity of the cancer and the patient’s medical health, the doctor may feel the need for a surgical intervention. Types of surgeries include: 

• Primary Tumour Surgery: To cure early-stage cheek mouth cancer, primary tumour surgery is done. Under this surgical treatment, the tumour is removed through the incision in the neck.
• Glossectomy: To cure tongue cancer symptoms and to ensure no recurrence, glossectomy surgery is done. Under this surgery, a partial or complete tongue is removed.
• Maxillectomy: Under this surgical treatment, a partial or complete hard palate is removed.
• Mandibulectomy: This surgery is performed in the jawbone.
• Neck Dissection: Under this surgery, lymph nodes are removed from the neck.
• Reconstructive Surgery: The objective of reconstructive surgery is to fill the gaps left by other surgeries to remove tumours. Under this surgery, healthy bones or tissues are taken to fill the gap. 

Chemotherapy

Under Chemotherapy, the drugs are used to destroy cancer cells and inhibit cancer cell growth. This treatment may be paired with other cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or surgery.

Radiation Therapy

Strong beams of energy are given to inhibit the growth of mouth cancer cells. This therapy can be paired with other treatments as needed.

Targeted Therapy

Before doing the surgery, the targeted therapy is given to the mouth cancer-affected patients. The prime objective of this therapy is to inhibit the uncontrolled genetic mutation without harming the normal cells.

Immunotherapy

Under Immunotherapy, the immune system is trained to hinder the further progression of mouth cancer. This ensures that the patient’s immune system is capable of fighting cancerous cells. 

What are the Key Risk Factors Associated with Oral Cancers?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that can arise from poor oral hygiene and exposure of the oral cavity to harmful substances. Here are some of the key risk factors associated with oral cancer discussed below:

• Tobacco Consumption: Both smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco are major risk factors that contribute to the majority of oral cancers.
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Heavy alcohol use, especially when combined with tobacco, significantly increases the risk of developing oral cancer.
• HPV Infection: Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are linked to oropharyngeal cancers.
• Direct Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can heighten the risk of developing lip cancer.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate oral hygiene practices, such as not brushing teeth properly or having oral issues like pyorrhea and gingivitis, may raise the risk of oral cancers.
• Age and Gender: Oral cancer is more prevalent among older individuals and men, meaning that elderly people who consume harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol are particularly vulnerable to this disease.

How to Prevent Oral Cancer?

As the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure." Oral cancer is a condition that can be easily prevented by avoiding unhealthy habits and taking certain precautions, such as:

• Avoid Tobacco and Excessive Alcohol: Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can significantly reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.
• HPV Vaccination: Getting vaccinated against HPV can help prevent oropharyngeal cancers.
• Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth regularly, and visit the dentist for routine checkups.
• Protect Your Lips from Sun Exposure: Use lip balm with SPF to guard against harmful UV rays.
• Early Detection is Key: Regular dental checkups and self-examinations can help identify early signs of oral cancer, leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment, which can improve chances of recovery.
• Consult a Medical Professional: If you notice any unusual changes in your mouth, such as sores, lumps, or difficulty swallowing, it is important to consult a doctor or dentist immediately.

Is Mouth Cancer Curable?

The answer is yes if it is detected on time. But prevention is always better than cure. By opting for some preventive measures, you can ensure that there are minimal chances of developing mouth cancer symptoms in your body. Hence, be mindful of the following preventive measures to avoid the chances of developing mouth cancer; 

• Quit smoking.
• Limit the alcohol intake. 
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Use UV-ABV sunscreen lotion before coming in direct contact with sunlight.
• Get vaccinated for HPV (or Human papillomavirus).
• Take proper nutrition in your diet.
• Don’t compromise on oral hygiene. Immediately visit your dentist if you struggle with any of the above symptoms. 

>> Also Read: How Dangerous is Cervical Cancer?

In a Nutshell

Oral cancer, a harrowing disease, can be effectively treated with timely diagnosis and medical intervention. Watch out for any probable signs of mouth cancer. Also, keep in mind that the aftermath of surgical procedures can be daunting. Hence, it is imperative to follow preventive measures to keep at bay the risk of mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer. 

Additionally, opt for a health insurance plan so that you can manage the financial burden that comes with cancer treatment. You can opt for specific cancer-related health insurance plans like Cancer Mediclaim or a plan with a high sum insured like Care Advantage. Our cancer-specific plan covers all stages of cancer along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Care Health Insurance ensures the security and safety you need by offering hassle-free claim settlements on accumulated medical bills.

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.