Oral Cancer
All the information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cancerous tumors that develop in the oral cavity.
Symptoms and Causes
Oral cancer originates in the oral cavity and is therefore also known as oral cavity cancer. Tumors develop from abnormal cells that proliferate rapidly in the oral region. They are most frequently located on the tongue, although they may also occur in the inner lining of the cheeks, the palate, the floor of the mouth, the gums, or the lips.
There are several types of oral cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: the most common type. It originates in the flat cells of the tissues lining the inside of the oral cavity.
- Squamous cell carcinoma in situ: the earliest form of cancer and is confined to the superficial layer of the mucosa.
- Invasive squamous cell carcinoma: tumor cells spread into deeper tissue layers.
- Verrucous carcinoma: a slow-growing subtype that does not usually spread to other organs.
- Adenocarcinoma: originates in the salivary glands and is very rare.
- Melanoma: arises from melanocytes and spreads rapidly to the lymph nodes. It is a highly aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis if not detected early.
- Lymphoma: develops in the lymphoid tissue of the oral cavity, which is part of the immune system, usually in the tonsils.
Oral cancer is among the ten most common types of cancer in Spain, with incidence increasing in recent years. Early detection is essential for treatment effectiveness. It is estimated that when diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is approximately 90%, with no reduction in life expectancy.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Visible lesions in the oral cavity:
- White or red patches.
- Sores or ulcers, sometimes bleeding, that do not heal within two weeks.
- Lumps in the soft tissues.
- Pain:
- Persistent oral pain.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Jaw pain.
- Ear pain.
- Numbness of the tongue.
- Loss of sensation.
- Bleeding.
- Loose teeth.
- Halitosis.
- Voice changes.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Persistent bad taste in the mouth.
Causes
Oral cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of the cells that make up the mouth and lips. When these cells multiply more rapidly than normal, an excess of cells accumulates into masses of varying sizes known as tumors.
Risk Factors
The risk of developing oral cancer is higher in individuals with any of the following risk factors:
- Tobacco use.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Unprotected sun exposure affecting the lips.
- Oral sex with individuals infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Weakened immune system.
- Poor oral hygiene.
Complications
The main complication of oral cancer is metastasis. These tumors commonly spread to the lymph nodes of the neck, lungs, bones, or liver.
Prevention
Although oral cancer cannot always be prevented, the following measures are recommended to reduce the risk:
- Do not smoke.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Use lip sun protection when sun exposure cannot be avoided.
- Attend regular dental check-ups.
- Receive HPV vaccination.
Which specialist treats oral cancer?
Oral cancer is a condition managed by the specialties of Medical oncology and Radiation oncology.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of oral cancer includes the following procedures:
- Physical examination: consists of inspection and palpation of the mouth and lips to identify irritated areas, lumps, or patches that may indicate the presence of cancerous cells.
- Biopsy: a tissue sample is collected and analyzed in the laboratory for tumor markers.
- Imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging): used to locate tumors and determine their extent. These studies are useful for establishing the cancer stage and selecting the most appropriate treatment in each case.
- Stage 0: cancer cells are superficial.
- Stage I: a tumor has formed, but it is small and localized.
- Stage II: the tumor is larger but has not invaded other structures.
- Stage III: the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IV: tumor cells have metastasized to other organs of the body.
Treatment
Oral cancer treatment must be individualized for each patient according to physical characteristics, overall health status, and disease stage. In most cases, a multidisciplinary approach is adopted to achieve the desired outcomes. Standard treatment options include:
- Radiotherapy: high-energy beams are directed at the affected tissues to stop cellular growth. It may be used to reduce tumor size before surgical removal or to eliminate malignant cells remaining after surgery.
- Chemotherapy: oral or intravenous medications are administered to destroy cancer cells following surgical intervention.
- Surgery: the tumor is removed together with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue in an attempt to completely excise the cancerous cells.
- Reconstructive surgery: when part of the bone or jaw must be removed, a reconstructive procedure is performed to replace the excised tissues. This procedure is frequently carried out during the same operation as tumor removal.
