Oral cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Prevention

The mouth is a popular spot for certain types of cancers. The most common type is called squamous cell carcinoma. Other types include adenocarcinoma and melanoma. Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, is cancer that develops in the mouth, lips, cheeks, or throat. It can affect any part of the oral cavity, including the teeth, gums, or roof and floor of the mouth.

Oral cancer can affect anyone. However, the chances increase with age and tobacco use.

Oral cancer symptoms

Oral cancer symptoms can be difficult to spot. Oral cancer is a slow-growing disease. Many of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer are also signs of other, less serious health conditions.

Some signs of oral cancer can include:

• A sore or irritation in the mouth that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal within 14 days.
• A white or red patch of tissue in the mouth.
• A lump or thickening of the skin, particularly in the cheeks, lips, or on or under the tongue.

Oral cancer risk factors

Oral cancer risk factors include tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, poor diet, and HPV infection. All of these factors contribute to an unhealthy oral environment, increasing the risk of cancer development.

Oral cancer screening

Preventive dental exams are the foundation for identifying oral health problems, including oral cancer. During your preventive dental exam by your Parklane dentist, they will thoroughly examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer. If your dentist thinks there is any cause for concern, they will likely order a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure where a small amount of tissue is removed from the mouth and sent to a lab to be examined. The tissue sample is examined for signs of cancer. If cancer is detected, additional testing may be required before a treatment plan can be put in place.

Oral cancer treatment options & recovery

There are different types of oral cancer treatments available. Your cancer treatment options may be influenced by several factors, such as the type of cancer you have, the size and location of your tumor, your overall health, and your tolerance for specific treatments.

Typically, oral cancers may require surgery to remove cancerous tissue. However, chemotherapy and radiation may be applied to cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. If the cancer is localized to the oral cavity, patients can expect a good prognosis. However, the prognosis for oral cancers that have metastasized is poor.

Contact Parklane Family Dental by calling Dentist in Fort Smith, AR at (479) 782-0080 (Fort Smith, AR), (479) 484-0777 (Fort Smith, AR), or the Dentist in Rogers, AR at (479) 273-0004 (Rogers, AR) or visiting any of our locations.