What is Oral cancer?
Oral cancer (also known as mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer) is most often found in the tongue, the lips and the floor of the mouth. It also can begin in the gums, the minor salivary glands, the lining of the lips and cheeks, the roof of the mouth or the area behind the wisdom teeth.
The majority of oral cancers arise in the squamous cells, which line the mouth, tongue, gums and lips. These are called squamous cell carcinomas (cancers).
Not all tumors or growths in the mouth are cancer, however. Some are benign (not cancer), while others are precancerous, meaning they may become cancer but are not currently cancer.
Causes of Oral Cancer:
Anything that increases your chances of getting cancer is called a risk factor. Many cases of oral cancers are linked to risk factors. Some patients might even develop it without any known risk factors.
The main risk factors are:
Tobacco use: Many people diagnosed with oral cancer use tobacco in some form. The longer people use tobacco and the amount they use increases that risk.
The type of tobacco people use can influence where the cancer develops. People who use chewing tobacco or snuff are more likely to develop cancer of the gums, cheek and lips. Pipe smoking increases the risk for cancer of the lip and the soft palate. Living with a smoker or working in a smoking environment can cause secondhand or passive smoking, which also may increase risk.
Alcohol: Many people diagnosed with oral cancer are heavy drinkers, consuming more than 21 alcoholic drinks each week. The combination of tobacco and alcohol is particularly dangerous. People who drink alcohol and smoke are six times more likely to get oral cancer than people who do not drink or smoke.
Drinking maté, a beverage made from a type of holly tree common in South America
Preventive measures of Oral Cancer includes:
Being among the most preventive cancer type, here are some ways to minimize your risk:
If you have dentures, remove them at night and clean them daily. Have them evaluated by a dentist at least every five years.
Limit sun exposure; wear a lip balm with sunscreen and a hat with a brim.
What ACH offers you:
Because early diagnosis gives you the best chance of successful treatment, the Oral Cancer Prevention Clinic provides a specialized setting for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of precancerous lesions. New optical techniques, less-invasive alternatives to biopsy, may help find some oral cancers earlier.
At ACH, your care for oral cancer is personalized.
Your cancer care team, will communicate closely and work together, and with you, to customize your care, including the most advanced therapies with the least impact on your body.
We offer new strategies to maintain dental and oral health treatment. Our highly specialized speech pathologists and therapists are among the most experienced in the nation, particularly in the newest methods of voice restoration and speech.