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Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer Facts

The American Cancer Society estimates about 30,100 new cases (20,200 in men and 9,900 in women) of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2001. An estimated 7,800 people (5,100 men and 2,700 women) will die of oral cavity and oropharynx cancer in 2001.

Eighty-two percent of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer patients survive at least one year after diagnosis. For all stages combined, the 5-year survival rate is 51percent and the 10-year survival is rate 48 percent. These survival rates have not changed much in the last 20 years.

When patients newly diagnosed with oral and oropharynx cancers are carefully examined, about 15 percent will have another cancer in nearby areas such as the larynx (voice box), esophagus (the part of the digestive system between the throat and stomach), or lung. Another 10 to 40 percent will develop cancer of one of these organs or a second cancer of the oral cavity or oropharynx at a later time. For this reason, it is very important for patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer to have follow-up examinations for the rest of their lives and avoid risk factors, such as smoking and drinking, which increase the risk for these second cancers.

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is cancer found in the oral cavity (the mouth area) and the oropharynx (the throat area at the back of the mouth). Oral cancer, which can be deadly, is diagnosed in approximately 30,000 Americans each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

The oral cavity includes the following:

The oropharynx includes the following:

What causes oral cancer?

The main causes of oral cancer include the following:

Other causes of oral cancer may include the following:

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

The following are the most common symptoms for oral cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

The symptoms of oral cancer may resemble other disorders or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

What are the different types of oral cancer?

Oral tumors can develop anywhere in the oral cavity and oropharynx. Some tumors are benign (non-cancerous), some may be precancerous (a condition that may become cancerous), while others may be cancerous. Different types of oral cancer may develop in different areas of the mouth and throat.

What are benign tumors?

There are many forms of benign (non-cancerous) tumors that can appear in the oral cavity or oropharynx (in addition to other sites in/on the body), including:

condyloma acuminatum (also known as a genital warts)
a small, moist, pink or red growth that grows alone or in cauliflower-like clusters

eosinophilic granuloma
a benign tumor which most often affects children and adolescents and is usually found in a bone or the lungs

fibroma
a benign tumor consisting of fibrous connective tissues

keratoacanthoma
a flesh-colored, fast-growing bump on the skin with a keratin plug in the center (keratin, the main component of the external layer of skin, hair, and nails, is a tough substance)

leiomyoma
a tumor of the smooth muscle, often found in the esophagus, small intestine, uterus, or stomach

lipoma
a tumor made up of mature fat cells

neurofibroma
a fibrous tumor consisting of nerve tissue

odontogenic tumors
tumors in the jaw

osteochondroma
a tumor made up of bone and cartilage

papilloma
a tumor that resembles a wart, growing on the epithelium (the cells that form the skin and mucous membranes)

pyogenic granuloma
a small, round bump that often has an ulcerated surface

rhabdomyoma
a striated-muscle tumor that may appear on the tongue, pharynx, uterus, vagina, or heart

Schwannoma
a single tumor that grows in the neurilemma (Schwann’s sheath) of nerves

verruca form xanthoma
wart-shaped tumors

Some benign tumors disappear on their own. Others may have to be removed surgically. Most benign tumors do not recur. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

What oral conditions may be precancerous?

Two conditions in the mouth - leukoplakia and erythroplakia - actually can be precursors to cancer. Often caused by smoking or chewing tobacco, these (initially) benign conditions can occur anywhere in the mouth. Only a biopsy can determine whether precancerous cells (dysplasia) or cancer cells are present in a leukoplakia or erythroplakia.

Did You Know?

About 15 percent of leukoplakias develop into cancer. However, 51 percent of erythroplakias are found to be cancerous when a biopsy is performed, according to the American Cancer Society.

Treatment for leukoplakias or erythroplakias may include use of retinoids - medications which are related to vitamin A - to eliminate, reduce, and/or prevent dysplasia from forming.

What are malignant oral tumors?

Although there are several types of malignant oral cancers, more than 90 percent of all diagnosed oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma.

squamous cell carcinoma
Also known as squamous cell cancer, this type of cancer originates in the squamous cell layer in the lining of the oral cavity and oropharynx. In the early stages, this cancer is present only in the lining layer of cells (called carcinoma in situ). When the cancer spreads beyond the lining, it is called invasive squamous cell cancer.

verrucous carcinoma
Although also considered a type of squamous cell carcinoma, this low-grade cancer rarely metastasizes (spreads to distant sites). Comprising less than 5 percent of all diagnosed oral cancers, verrucous carcinoma can spread deeply into surrounding tissue, requiring surgical removal with a margin of surrounding tissue.

minor salivary gland cancers
The lining of the oral cavity and oropharynx contains numerous salivary glands. Sometimes, cancer will originate in a salivary gland. Treatment depends on the type and location of the salivary gland cancer, as well as the extent of spreading. According to the American Cancer Society, salivary gland cancers account for less than 1 percent of all cancers.

What is a risk factor?

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases, including cancers, have different risk factors.

Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while others develop disease and have no known risk factors.

But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.

What are the risk factors for oral cancer?

Although heredity also plays a factor, certain lifestyle habits and health conditions can increase a person's risk for developing oral cancer. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Tobacco use
The majority of patients with oral cancer (90 percent) use tobacco in one form or another. Tobacco can damage cells in the lining of the oral cavity and oropharynx, causing abnormal cells to grow more rapidly to repair the damage. Researchers believe that the DNA-damaging chemicals in tobacco are linked to the increased risk of oral cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Alcohol use
The majority of patients with oral cancer (75 to 80 percent) use alcohol frequently. Paired with tobacco use, patients who drink and smoke increase their risk of developing oral cancer even more. Researchers have found that alcohol increases the penetration of DNA-damaging chemicals in the lining of the oral cavity and oropharynx, according to the American Cancer Society.

Sunlight
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer. People who are outdoors for an extended period of time increase their risk of lip cancer, as well.

Chronic irritation
Chronic irritation to the lining of the mouth, due to poorly fitting dentures or other reasons, may increase a person's risk for oral cancer.

Lack of fruits and vegetables in diet
Research has suggested that fruits and vegetables, which contain antioxidants that can "trap" harmful molecules, can decrease the risk for oral cancer (and other cancers). Thus, it is speculated that persons with a low intake of these types of foods are at an increased risk for (oral) cancer.

Alcohol-containing mouthwash
Some studies have shown that mouthwash with alcohol content increases the risk for oral cancer. In addition, other studies have shown that smokers and people who drink alcohol tend to use mouthwash more often, linking all three factors together.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
HPV usually causes warts and has been linked to cervical, vaginal, and penal cancers. HPV may also increase the risk for oral cancers.

Males
Oral cancer is twice as common in men then in women, partly because men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol.

Preventing oral cancer:

It is important to detect oral cancer as early as possible, as treatment works best before the disease has spread. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and American Cancer Society (ACS) encourage people to take an active role in the early detection of oral cancer by performing monthly self-examinations. The Oral Health Education Foundation recommends the following steps (below) when examining your mouth. Take special note of any red or white patches, lumps or thickening of skin, tissue, or gums, a sore that either does not heal properly (after a 1 to 2 week period), or a sore that tends to bleed easily or excessively. In addition, be sure to take note of a persistent sore throat, hoarseness, or difficulty maneuvering the jaw during chewing or swallowing. Be sure to consult your physician right away if any of these symptoms are present.

Did You Know?

Wearing lip balm that contains a sunscreen or sunscreen lotion on the lips may help protect against cancer on the lip.

Regular dental checkups that include an examination of the entire mouth are also important in the early detection of oral cancer or precancerous conditions. Your physician should also check your mouth as part of a routine physical exam.

How is oral cancer diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for oral cancer may include the following:

Once a diagnosis is made, the cancer will be staged (to determine the extent of the disease) before a treatment plan is established.

Treatment for oral cancer:

Specific treatment for oral cancer will be determined by your physician based on:

Treatment may include:

  • primary tumor resection - removal of the entire tumor and surrounding area of tissue.

  • maxillectomy - removal of the tumor, including part or all of the hard palate (roof of the mouth), if bone is involved.

  • laryngectomy - removal of a large tumor of the tongue or oropharynx, which may involve removing the larynx (voice box).

  • neck dissection - if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, these lymph nodes may need to be removed as well.

  • reconstructive surgery - primary surgical reconstruction may be required to restore optimal speech and swallowing function.

Preparing for surgery:

If surgery is needed to treat the oral cancer, the National Cancer Institute recommends asking the following questions:

What are the side effects of oral cancer treatment?

Side effects of treatment for oral cancer vary, depending on the type of treatment and the area being treated. Side effects can be temporary or permanent. The following are some of the more common side effects of oral cancer treatment:

Depending on the type of treatment, other side effects may include:

Rehabilitation after oral cancer:

Rehabilitation may vary from person-to-person depending on the type of oral cancer treatment, and the location and extent of the cancer. Rehabilitation may include:


This page was last updated on: February 1, 2008.

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