1. Why Should I Care to Know?
Mouth cancer can have huge implications since it can make a huge difference the way you breathe, talk, eat, chew and swallow. According to the United States National Institutes of Health mouth cancer is confined to "the front two thirds of the tongue, the upper and lower gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the bottom of the mouth under the tongue, the bony top of the mouth, and the small area behind the wisdom teeth."
2. Why Does Mouth Cancer Occur?
It all boils down to four major factors: tobacco, alcohol, sun and a personal history of head and neck cancer. For the most part, you could blame it on smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes or chewing tobacco and dipping snuff. But if you are also in the habit of drinking alcohol heavily you are no better. More likely than not, these habits can raise your risk of developing oral cancer compared to people who don't drink or smoke. Even exposure to the sun can cause cancer of the lip. Also, if you are not someone given to eating enough fruits and vegetables, your chances of getting oral cancer are up. Infections with certain viruses (such as the human papillomavirus) may also be linked to oral cancer.
3. How Does Mouth Cancer Form?
It can start off as a harmless outgrowth and later turn abnormal. Your dentist might detect a whitish area called leukoplakia or a raised red area called erythroplakia in the mouth. These areas could be cancerous or precursors to cancer. Only a microscopic examination can reveal their true colors. In fact, seven out of 10 of the red areas lead to oral cancer. It is essential to know why it all happened in the first place. It's possible that it could be your smoking or chewing tobacco. Even poorly fitting dentures rubbing against the tongue or cheeks can lead to abnormal cells. You may want to deal with the underlying cause first.
4. What Are the Different Types of Mouth Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, over 90% of all mouth cancers belong to a type called squamous cell carcinomas. These arise from flat, scale-like cells lining the mouth and throat. At first, only the outer layers of these cells are involved. However, as it gets more serious, the abnormal cells get deeper into oral cavity. In fact, the type called verrucous carcinoma can invade a substantial portion of the surrounding tissue. Even salivary glands may be affected. Surgery is the solution.
5. How Does It Help to Know?
Early detection could lead to possible early treatment, often successfully. If you or your loved ones ever detect any unusual red and white patches in the mouth, pay a visit to your doctor or dentist. Also watch out for any sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal. Bleeding in your mouth, loose teeth, difficulty or pain when swallowing, difficulty wearing dentures, a lump in your neck or an earache need to be reported promptly. If your doctor or dentist detects an abnormal area, he might remove a sample tissue for detailed examination to confirm or rule out mouth cancer.
