The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2010, over 23,000 new diagnoses of oral cavity cancers will be made in the United States. Gum cancer is included in the larger category of oral cavity cancers, and treatment for these cancers also applies to cancer of the gum. Depending on the stage, extent and location of the cancer, one or more treatment modalities may be used.
Surgery
According to the American Cancer Society, surgery is a common treatment for oral cancers, including gum cancer. Surgery may consist of a tumor resection, which involves removing the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue around it to ensure complete removal. If the tumor has grown into the jaw bone, a full or partial mandible resection may be necessary, which is the removal of part or all of the jawbone. Similarly, if the tumor has grown into the hard palate on the roof of the mouth, the maxilla, part or all of the maxilla may need to be removed. If cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, a neck dissection may be performed to remove the lymph nodes and possibly other tissue, says the National Cancer Institute.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy may also be used to treat gum cancer, either alone, after surgery, or in conjunction with chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and slow down their replication. External beam radiation therapy is the most commonly used mode of administered radiation; it uses a machine to aim the radiation toward the cancerous area. Internal radiation, or brachytherapy, may also be done. This consists of using needles or pellets filled with radioactive material and placing them next to the cancer. Prior to having radiation therapy for gum and oral cancer treatment, the National Cancer Institute recommends a dental exam to treat any problems that may exist before radiation exposure.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, and can be given intravenously or orally. The American Cancer Society lists medications used to treat oral cancers, including cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, carboplatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, methotrexate, ifosfamide and bleomycin. One or more drugs may be given at a time to help shrink the tumors and control the cancer.
Targeted Therapy
Erbitux, the brand name for the drug cetuximab, is a targeted therapy used to treat some oral cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Erbitux works by targeting a growth factor receptor; when the drug blocks it, the cancer cells cannot grow and then die. While this is not a standard treatment yet, its effectiveness is being examined and it shows promise in slowing down the growth of oral cancers.
References
- American Cancer Society: Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Surgery
- National Cancer Institute: Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer: Treatment Options
- American Cancer Society: Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Radiation Therapy
- American Cancer Society: Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers: Targeted Therapy
- National Cancer Institute: Gum Cancer
