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Cáncer oral - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Cáncer de la boca; Cáncer bucal; Carcinoma bucal de células escamosas; Cáncer de cabeza y cuello

Definición:

Es el cáncer en la boca.

Causas:

El cáncer oral o bucal compromete con mayor frecuencia los labios o la lengua y también puede ocurrir en:

  • El revestimiento de las mejillas
  • El piso de la boca
  • Las encías (gingiva)
  • El paladar (bóveda del paladar)

La mayoría de los cánceres orales son tipo denominado carcinomas escamocelulares, los cuales tienden a diseminarse rápidamente.

El hecho de fumar y otros usos del tabaco están asociados con la mayoría de los casos de cáncer oral. El consumo de alcohol en exceso también incrementa el riesgo de cáncer oral.

Otros factores que pueden incrementar el riesgo de cáncer oral son, entre otros:

  • La irritación crónica (a causa, por ejemplo, de dientes ásperos, dentaduras postizas u obturaciones).
  • Infección con el virus del papiloma humano (VPH).
  • Tomar medicamentos que debilitan el sistema inmunitario (inmunodepresores).
  • Higiene oral y dental deficientes.

Algunos casos de cáncer oral se inician como una placa blanca (leucoplasia) o como una úlcera bucal.

Los hombres adquieren este tipo de cáncer con una frecuencia dos veces mayor a las mujeres, en particular aquellos mayores de 40 años.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/28/2011
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Head and Neck Cancers. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2009. Version 2.2009.

Posner M. Head and neck cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 200.

Wein RO, Malone JP, Weber RS. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund VJ, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 96.

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