Oral cavity cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the mucosa of the mouth.
In Canada, three people die from oral cancer every day – making the five-year survival rate of this cancer lower than that of breast, cervical and prostate cancer. However, if the disease is detected early, the treatment is easier, less invasive and has a 90% cure rate.
Causes
Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use are considered to be the main causes of oral cancer. For those 40 years old or more, infection from the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV 16 type) and a diet low in fruits and vegetables are also known risk factors for development of oral cancer.
Signs and symptoms
Oral cancer can appear in the mouth as a white or red patch, a lump or a sore that doesn’t heal. Other symptoms include loose teeth, dentures that no longer fit or bleeding from the mouth. A person who has any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks should consult with a dentist or an oral surgeon for a thorough evaluation.
Diagnosis
To diagnose oral cancer, the dentist or oral surgeon will require a medical history including questions regarding the symptoms, risk factors, dietary habits, dental care habits, a family history of oral cavity cancer. Then, it would require a physical examination of the head and neck area looking for masses in the neck, facial asymmetry, feeling for lumps or swelling inside the mouth and looking for abnormal changes in the mucosa. X-rays are important tools to help assess the extent of the cancer and to rule in/out metastasis to other parts of the body. There can also be a chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT scan), and Magnetic resonance imaging. A biopsy is the standard test for diagnosis of oral cavity cancer, which is a small surgical procedure to take a small part of the lesion and sending it for microscopic evaluation.
Staging
In order to make the best decision for treating oral cancer, a staging system that is based on the size and extension of the tumor was developed. There are 4 stages: Stage 0 (localized, non invasive tumor), Stage I, Stage II, Stage III. Stage IV (the most advanced disease that’s already invaded the adjacent structure like the bone or metastasize to another organs like lungs and liver).
Treatment
Treatment for oral cavity cancer is rendered by cancer specialists. Treatment plans are decided at multidisciplinary team meetings and are designed to meet the unique needs of each person based on the stage. For most oral cancers, surgery is the preferred treatment method. It involves surgical excision of the tumor with or without removal of lymph nodes in the neck (procedure called Neck Dissection) followed by reconstructive procedures when needed. For advanced stages, radiation alone or radiation with chemotherapy is needed. Outcomes The 5-year relative survival for all oral cancers is 63%. This means that, on average, a person diagnosed with oral cancer is 63% as likely to live 5 years after the diagnosis as compared to the general population.
Outcomes
The 5-year relative survival for all oral cancers is 63%. This means that, on average, a person diagnosed with oral cancer is 63% as likely to live 5 years after the diagnosis as compared to the general population.
