Oral cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in any part of the mouth or lips. Most oral cancers start in the lining of the lips or mouth in the thin, flat cells called squamous cells.
Symptoms for oral cancer include sores or lumps that appear on the lips or in the mouth. Sometimes white patches that cannot be rubbed off may form in the lining of the mouth.
Treatment for oral cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
Symptoms of oral cancer include sores or lumps on the lips or in your mouth. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Treatment for oral cancer is based on the stage of the cancer and other things, such as your overall health. Treatment options may include:
The doctor may remove the cancer along with a border of normal tissue around it, called a margin.
This uses high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
These medicines kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and some normal cells. Chemotherapy and radiation may be given together. This is called chemoradiation.
In some cases, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be an option. A clinical trial may be a good choice.
Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.
The following steps may help prevent oral cancer.
Researchers are studying how people can make changes in their lifestyles to reduce their risk for cancer. One change that may reduce the risk for oral cancer is eating more fruits and fiber-rich vegetables.
Your dentist or doctor may look closely at your lips, mouth, or throat to check for signs of oral cancer. Other tests may be needed if there are possible signs of cancer. These tests may include a biopsy, an X-ray, or an MRI.
Treatment for oral cancer is usually provided by a team of doctors who are experts in treating head and neck cancers. The team may include:
Depending on your treatment, you may have help from other specialists, such as a speech therapist or a plastic surgeon.
Taking medicines as prescribed and getting enough sleep may help you feel better. If it's hard to eat, talk to your doctor or a dietitian. Get some physical activity each day if you can. Consider joining a support group or talking with a counselor.
Things that increase your risk for oral cancer include using tobacco and heavy alcohol use. Other risk factors are being male and having an HPV infection. For cancers of the lip, exposure over a long period of time to ultraviolet light from the sun or from tanning beds increases risk.
Some combinations of risk factors, such as using tobacco and drinking alcohol, increase the risk for oral cancer more than either risk factor alone.
Oral cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in any part of the mouth or lips. Most oral cancers start in the lining of the lips or mouth where you have thin, flat cells called squamous cells. This type of cancer may also be called oral cavity cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.
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