What is Cancer?

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What is Cancer?

Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue.

Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away. Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:

  • Ulcers, Growths, swellings/ thickenings, lumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth.
  • The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth
  • Bleeding in the mouth due to unknown cause
  • Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling/sensation, or conversely pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
  • Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within 2 weeks despite medications
  • A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
  • Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice
  • Ear pain could be a initial symptom of oral cancer as pain in tongue or throat gets referred to the ear
  • A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together. Ill fitting dentures could be the first sign of a swelling or growth along the jaw
  • Dramatic weight loss within span of few weeks
What are the risk factors that predispose to development of oral cancer?

Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include:

  • Smoking, Cigarette, cigar or pipe smokers are six times more likely than non-smokers to develop oral cancers
  • Smokeless tobacco users. Users of dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco products are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lining of the lips.
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more common in drinkers than in non-drinkers.
  • Family history of cancer
  • Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain HPV strains are etiologic risk factors for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)
  • Chronic mouth irritation, such as from dentures that aren't fitted correctly
  • Using betel quid or gutka chewing tobacco products
  • Some inherited conditions, such as Fanconi anemia
  • Weakened immune system
Why do people who have never used tobacco or alcohol get oral cancer?

It is important to note that over 25% of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke or consume alcohol. Mechanism of development of cancer in these patients is largely unknown. Other mechanisms are postulated to be :

  • Immunosuppression
  • Mechanical irritation by sharp teeth, dentures etc.
  • Nutritional deficiencies.
  • Infectious agents such as viruses (HPV)
  • Frequent use of alcohol containing mouthwashes
  • Dental infection (chronic periodontitis ) has been reported and postulated to be important in the natural history of HPV infection and tongue cancer