Oral(Mouth & Tongue) Cancer

Oral (Mouth & Tongue) Cancer typically originates in the squamous cells covering the surface of the tongue, resulting in tumors or lesions. Prominent symptoms include red or white patches on the tongue, persistent pain, and non-healing sores.

Tongue cancer falls explicitly under the category of oral or mouth cancer, with cancer developing in two distinct regions of the tongue. The front part of the oral tongue is susceptible to tongue cancer, while cancer occurring at the back of the oral tongue is termed oropharyngeal cancer.

Early signs of mouth cancer often resemble symptoms of other conditions like mouth ulcers or tongue ulcers, making diagnosis challenging. Some individuals may not initially notice any symptoms during the early stages of cancer development.

This overview delves into the details of tongue cancer, encompassing visuals, symptoms, stages, causes, and more.

What is mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is a general term referring to cancer affecting the interior of your mouth. Signs of oral cancer may manifest as common issues with your lips or inside your mouth, such as persistent white patches or bleeding sores. The critical distinction between a regular problem and potential cancer is that these alterations persist without resolution. If left untreated, oral cancer has the potential to extend beyond your mouth and throat, affecting other regions of your head and neck. About 63% of individuals diagnosed with oral cavity cancer survive for five years after their diagnosis.

What constitutes the oral cavity in my body?

Your oral cavity comprises:

• Lips
• Gums,
• The lining of the inside of your cheeks,
• The initial two-thirds of
• The floor of your mouth (the area beneath your tongue),
• The first part of the roof of your mouth
• The region immediately behind your wisdom teeth.

Who is at risk of developing oral cancer?

On average, around 11 individuals per 100,000 will encounter oral cancer in their lifetime. Men have a higher likelihood of developing oral cancer compared to women.

Additionally, individuals of white ethnicity are more susceptible to oral cancer compared to those of Black ethnicity.

How does oral cancer impact the body?

Oral cancer can influence both your mouth and oropharynx. The oropharynx encompasses portions of your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the central section of your throat, visible when your mouth is wide open. Cancer affecting the oropharynx is termed oropharyngeal cancer. This discussion primarily centers on oral cancer within your mouth or oral cavity.

What leads to the onset?

Oral cancer originates in the squamous cells within your oral cavity. These cells, which resemble fish scales when observed under a microscope, transform cancerous cells due to alterations in their DNA, leading to uncontrolled growth and multiplication. Over time, these cancerous cells may extend to other regions within your mouth and progress to different parts of your head, neck, or other areas.

Approximately 75% of individuals who develop oral cancer exhibit the following behaviors:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
• Using smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco, dip, snuff, or water pipes (hookah or shisha).
• Regularly consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun without protecting their lips with sunblock.
• Having human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Having a family history of oral cancer.

It’s essential to acknowledge that 25% of people who develop oral cancer neither smoke nor exhibit other identifiable risk factors.

What are the indications of oral cancer?

Oral cancer manifests through various signs and symptoms, which might be initially perceived as common issues or alterations in your mouth. Notably, patches inside your mouth that resist removal may indicate pre-cancerous conditions. These conditions, appearing as patches in your mouth and throat, exhibit different colors:

• Leukoplakia: Flat white or gray patches in your mouth or throat.
• Erythroplakia: Slightly raised or flat red patches that may bleed when scraped.
• Erythroleukoplakia: Patches featuring both red and white areas.

Common signs and symptoms of oral cancer encompass:

• Sores on your lip or inside your mouth that bleed easily and persist for over two weeks.
• Rough spots or crusty areas on your lips, gums, or inside your mouth.
• Unexplained bleeding in areas of your mouth.
• Numbness, pain, or tenderness on your face, neck, or within your mouth without apparent cause.
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue.
• Unintentional weight loss.
• Earache.
• Persistent bad breath.

How do healthcare providers diagnose oral cancer?

Detection of potential oral cancer may occur during routine dental checkups. If your dentist identifies concerning signs, they may conduct initial tests or refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a head and neck surgeon, commonly known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists.

Diagnostic methods for oral cancer include:

• Physical examination: Your hWithinare provider thoroughly examines the inside of your mouth, feeling for abnormalities. They also assess your head, face, and neck for potential signs of pre-cancer or cancer.
• Brush biopsy (scrape biopsy or exfoliative cytology): A small brush or spatula gently scrapes the area in question to collect cells for cancer examination.
• Incisional biopsy: Small tissue samples are extracted by your healthcare provider to obtain cells for cancer examination.
• Indirect laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy: Using a small mirror on a long, thin handle, your healthcare provider observes your throat, the base of your tongue, and part of your larynx (voice box).
• Direct (flexible) pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy: An endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with an an attached light and viewing lens, is employed to inspect areas of your throat and mouth not visible with mirrors.

How do healthcare providers treat oral (mouth) cancer?

The primary treatments for oral (mouth) cancer involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. It is essential to discuss the purpose, potential side effects, and strategies for managing side effects with your doctor for each treatment option.

Several factors influence the recommendation for treatment, including:

• The type of oral cancer.
• The extent of cancer spread in the mouth, throat, or other parts of the body.
• Your overall health.
• Your age.

Common surgeries for oral cancer include:

• Primary tumor surgery: Removal of tumors through the mouth or an incision in the neck.
• Glossectomy: Partial or total removal of the tongue.
• Mandibulectomy: Surgery for oral cancer affecting the jawbone.
• Maxillectomy: Removal of part or all of the hard palate, the bony roof of the mouth.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy: Identifying if cancer has spread beyond the initial oral cancer.
• Neck dissection: Removal of lymph nodes from the neck.
• Reconstruction: After extensive tissue removal, reconstructive surgery may fill gaps left by the tumor or replace parts of the lips, tongue, palate, or jaw. Healthy bone and tissue from other body areas may be used for reconstruction.

Additional treatments may involve combining surgery with

• Radiation therapy, Using energy beams to eliminate or inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: Precisely identifying and attacking specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
• Chemotherapy: Using anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells, affecting various body parts.

Immunotherapy: Engaging the immune system to combat cancer, also known as biological therapy.