Mouth cancer is when the cells in your mouth grow abnormally and out of control. It’s sometimes called oral cancer and it can affect any part of your mouth. The earlier mouth cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be. So, if you have any of the symptoms of mouth cancer, it’s important to get them checked by a dentist or doctor.
Mouth cancer can start anywhere in your mouth, including:
Most cancers of the mouth are squamous cell carcinomas. This is when the cancer grows in the flat, skin-like cells that line the inside of your mouth. There are other, rarer, types of mouth cancer including cancer of the salivary gland and skin cancer on the lips.
Men are more likely to develop mouth cancer than women and it’s more common in people over 50. Around 80,000 people in the India are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year. The number of people getting mouth cancer is increasing.
Mouth cancer is often diagnosed quite late on because the early signs can be difficult to spot. Early signs of mouth cancer include:
Other symptoms include:
These symptoms aren't necessarily signs of mouth cancer but if you have any of them, see your dentist or doctor.
The most common causes of mouth cancer are smoking and drinking more alcohol than recommended.
Some health problems and conditions – for example, dysplasia (abnormal cells developing) and leukoplakia (white patch or lump in your mouth) – may increase the risk of mouth cancer. These conditions can affect people who smoke and those who do not. So, it’s important to have regular mouth checks if you have either condition and to get checked if you notice any potential symptoms.
There is some suggestion that a condition called lichen planus (a white rash in your mouth) may lead to mouth cancer in a very small number of people. But the evidence for this is not certain.
Chewing betel nuts can also increase your risk of mouth cancer.
Infection with some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause mouth cancer in some people. You can catch an HPV infection by having oral sex with someone who has it.
Your dentist might spot the early signs of mouth cancer during a routine check-up. If so, they can refer you straight to a specialist for further tests.
If you see your doctor with symptoms of mouth cancer, they’ll ask you about your symptoms and examine your mouth and neck. If your doctor thinks your symptoms could be due to mouth cancer, they will refer you to a specialist.
You’ll be asked to have some tests to find out what type of cancer it is and if it has spread. These tests may include:
What treatment you’re offered will depend on what type of mouth cancer you have, where it is and if it’s spread. Some treatments can cure the cancer whereas others control it. There are lots of combinations of treatments and your doctor will talk to you about your options.
If you smoke, you’ll be asked to stop smoking before you start any treatment. This is because smoking can increase your risk of complications and reduce the chance that treatment will work.
Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy.
The aim of surgery is to remove all the cancer or as much of it as possible. Exactly what type of surgery you’ll need will depend on where your cancer is, how big it is and if it’s spread. Your surgeon will explain what they’re planning and what to expect afterwards.
Sometimes, this type of surgery can be quite major and, depending on where the cancer is and how big it is, it can affect:
You may need to have reconstructive surgery to repair the bones and soft tissues of your mouth and face. Before you have your operation, you’ll probably be asked to see a dentist. They will check your teeth and do any dental work that’s needed. You may also be asked to see a speech and language therapist and a dietitian to help you recover well.
If the cancer is small, you may have radiotherapy instead of surgery. Or you may have radiotherapy after surgery to make sure all the cancer cells have been destroyed. Radiotherapy works by damaging cancer cells so they can’t work.
Radiotherapy for mouth cancer can be given in two different ways:
If you’re having external radiotherapy, you’ll probably need to have it five days a week for several weeks. Implants can be taken out after a short time or left in. If they are left in, the radiation they give off gradually decreases over a period of a few weeks or months.
As with other types of treatment for cancer, radiotherapy can cause side-effects. These include a sore or dry mouth, tiredness, sickness and changes in how your food tastes and smells. Most side-effects start to improve within a few weeks following your treatment.
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses your own immune system to kill cancer cells. This type of treatment may be offered for advanced mouth cancer or mouth cancer that comes back.Immunotherapy is used when the cancer has not responded to other treatments. It can be effective for some people.
Making some lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of mouth cancer. These include:
You should have regular mouth checks if you have known dysplasia, leukoplakia or lichen planus. Speak to your doctor or dentist if you have any questions.
Being diagnosed with cancer can be distressing for you and your family. An important part of cancer treatment includes the support to help deal with the emotional aspects as well as the physical symptoms.
Specialist doctors and nurses are experts at giving support and they may also visit you at home. If you have more advanced cancer, support is available in hospices, hospital or at home. This is called palliative care. For links to further support and information, see the section: Other helpful websites.
Mouth ulcers are very common. They are usually caused by something simple like biting your cheek or eating hot food. They can also be caused by skin problems, allergies and conditions that affect your immune system. They’re usually temporary and get better on their own.
Most mouth ulcers heal within about 10 to 14 days. You can buy gels to help ease the pain and use saltwater or antiseptic mouthwashes to speed up the healing.
If your ulcer hasn’t gone or isn’t getting better within two weeks or you’re worried about it, see your doctor or dentist.
It might do. Treatment for mouth cancer can affect how you speak, swallow and chew as well as your sense of taste and smell. How these things are affected, and by how much, will depend on where your cancer is and the kind of treatment you have.
These are some of the difficulties you could have after treatment.
· Sore throat. This can develop after radiotherapy and can make it painful to eat and drink and hard to swallow. Eating soft foods can help and some people have food given through a tube for a while.
· Dry mouth. This is a side-effect of radiotherapy. It’s usually temporary, but it can sometimes be permanent. It can make talking and eating uncomfortable. Your doctor can prescribe artificial saliva. Simple things like sipping water regularly can help too.
· Difficulty swallowing. This can happen if you’ve had surgery to your throat, tongue, mouth or jaw. It usually gets better when any swelling from the surgery goes down.
· Changes to your sense of smell and taste. Some people find that all food starts to taste the same or that it has a salty, bitter or metallic taste. Trying foods with a strong flavour can help. Foods with different textures can help to make eating more interesting if your sense of smell and taste is affected.
· Changes to the way you speak. Your voice may sound different or you may find it more difficult to talk. Sometimes these problems are temporary, but they can be permanent. Depending on how your speech is affected, speech and language therapy may help.
Any of these changes can be distressing and upsetting, so it’s important to get the right support to manage. Talk to your doctor or clinical nurse specialist for more information.
cancerresearchuk.org
macmillan.org.uk
www.nhs.uk/smokefree
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