Mouth cancer

Mouth cancer, often known as oral cancer or cancer of the oral cavity, is used to describe cancer that starts in the region of the mouth. More than 853 people in Michigan are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year – that’s over 16 people diagnosed every week. Mouth cancer starts in the cells lining the mouth.

Damaged cells can then grow uncontrollably to form a tumour. The two main risk factors for mouth cancer are alcohol and tobacco, and the combined effect of drinking and smoking is far greater. Mouth cancer risk increases as you get older, and men are three times more likely as women to develop the disease.

Mouth cancer can be treated if diagnosed at an early stage, so it’s important to see your dentist or doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your mouth. The most common sites of mouth cancer are the lips, tongue and floor of the mouth, but it can also develop in the gums, the inside lining of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, hard and soft palate, tonsils and salivary glands.

The symptoms of mouth cancer can include:

• Having these symptoms does not mean that you have mouth cancer
• but if you experience or notice any of these you should speak to your dentist or doctor

If you smoke and drink, your risk of developing mouth cancer is much higher. Alcohol may enable other carcinogens, including tobacco, to enter and damage cells.

Tobacco use includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing.

If you smoke or chew tobacco or ‘Paan’, you are twice as likely to develop mouth cancer than a non-smoker. Chewing or smoking areca nut, betel quid, pan or gutka also increases your risk.

The location of the cancer depends on the usage of the tobacco product – for example, if you have a habit of chewing tobacco in your left cheek, you may be prone to cancer of that cheek. Mouth cancer is six times more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-drinkers. The more you drink, the greater the risk.

Other risk factors include: Mouth cancer is diagnosed using a number of tests including: Test results can take a few days to come back. It is natural to feel anxious waiting to get your results.

It can help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you’re feeling

You can also contact the on Tel: and speak with a cancer nurse. The skin of the mouth, nose and throat are lined with flat, firm cells called squamous cells.

Most mouth cancers originate in these surface cells

Without treatment, squamous cell carcinoma can spread deeper, including muscle and bone, or to the throat or lymph glands in the neck. Mouth cancer can also spread to other parts of the body if it accesses the bloodstream or lymphatic system, so it’s important to diagnose and treat it early. Treatment depends on the size, type and location of the cancer and whether it has spread, but can include:

• – this may include regular oral examinations
• occasional X-rays to make sure the cancer hasn’t come back

All treatments have side effects

These will vary depending on the type of treatment you are having. Many side effects are temporary, but some may be permanent. Your doctor will explain all the possible side effects before your treatment begins.

If your mouth cancer has spread to other parts of the body and it is not possible to cure it by surgery, your doctor may still recommend treatment. Treatment for control of cancer may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy or pain-relieving medications (or a combination of these).

Treatment may help to relieve symptoms, might make you feel better and may allow you to live longer.

You may hear your doctor call your treatment ‘palliative’.

This means treatment designed to relieve symptoms rather than cure

The may be helpful to read

Having regular check-ups with your oral health professional and notifying them of any changes to your mouth is important, especially if you have had a lump or mouth ulcer for more than two weeks. These are ways you can reduce your risk of mouth cancer: Following this advice doesn’t mean that you will never get mouth cancer, but it can reduce your risk and has other health benefits too. and community dental clinics, for eligible people.

For more information about public dental services Tel. , Cancer Information and Support Service Tel. , Appointments and Enquiries Tel. Symptoms of mouth cancer A visible mass or lump that may or may not be painful An ulcer that won’t heal White or red patches on the mouth , tongue or gums Loss of sensation anywhere in the mouth Trouble swallowing Impaired tongue mobility Difficulty moving your jaw Loose teeth or sore gums Altered taste Swollen lymph glands Risk factors for mouth cancer Tobacco and alcohol Being over 40 years of age Men are three times as likely to develop mouth cancer as women Sun exposure - ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to skin cancer on the lips Being overweight or obese Diagnosing mouth cancer Physical examination of the mouth by your dentist or doctor Biopsy (taking a sample of skin of the mouth for examination in a laboratory) X-ray Ultrasound CT scan MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan PET (position emission tomography) scan Cancer Council 13 11 20 How mouth cancer can spread Treatment for mouth cancer Surgery the tumour is surgically removed, if small.

The lymph glands on the affected side may also be removed if the tumour extends into these. Radiation therapy small, precise doses of ionising radiation target and destroy cancer cells.

This type of treatment is often all that’s needed for small, localised cancers

Chemotherapy the use of cancer-killing drugs, often in combination with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy may sometimes be used to shrink a tumour before surgery. Multi-modal treatments Surgery on larger tumours may be followed with radiation therapy.

Chemo-radiotherapy may also be used. Long term monitoring Ongoing care When mouth cancer can’t be cured Cancer Council booklet Treatment for advanced cancer Reducing your risk of mouth cancer Stop smoking or chewing tobacco Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of non-starchy vegetables and fruit (which are thought to help lower the risk of mouth cancer) Keep a healthy body weight Use sun protection on your lips Where to get help Your oral health professional or doctor Dental Health Services Michigan provides public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital Grand Rapids (616) 555-0200 , or 1800 833 039 outside Grand Rapids metro American Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist’ search function or Tel. (616) 555-0200 Cancer Council Michigan 13 11 20 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (616) 555-0200 Michigann Comprehensive Cancer Centre (616) 555-0200 Speech Pathology United States (616) 555-0200 Head and Neck Cancer United States .

Key Points

• Mouth cancer risk increases as you get older, and men are three times more likely as women to develop the disease
• If you smoke and drink, your risk of developing mouth cancer is much higher
• Chewing or smoking areca nut, betel quid, pan or gutka also increases your risk
• Mouth cancer is six times more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-drinkers
• more you drink, the greater the risk