Mouth Cancer

Oral cavity cancer includes many areas of the mouth, like: the lip, alveolar ridge (area right behind the top front teeth), retromolar trigone (small area behind wisdom teeth), under the tongue, buccal mucosa (the lining inside the lips and cheeks), the tongue and hard palate. 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cavity cancer each year.

Studies have shown that if a person smokes or drinks alcohol they are most likely to get oral cancer. The treatments for Oral Cavity include surgery and radiation, though there are a few alternative Oral Cavity treatments that can be researched upon.

Statistic wise, Oral Cancer of the lip occurs in 4,000 people in the US each year. 90% of those cases occur in men. Risk factors include smoking pipes or cigarettes and sun exposure. Cancer of the alveolar ridge and retro trigone account for 10% of people diagnosed with oral cancer. Oral Cancer that’s underneath the tongue develops 3 times more common in men then women. Symptoms are usually present as infiltrating lesions that are extremely painful.

What is cancer of the lip and oral cavity?

Cancer of the lip and oral cavity is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the lip or mouth. The oral cavity includes the front two thirds of the tongue, the upper and lower gums (the gingiva), the lining of the inside of the cheeks and lips (the buccal mucosa), the bottom (floor) of the mouth under the tongue, the bony top of the mouth (the hard palate), and the small area behind the wisdom teeth (the retromolar trigone).

A doctor should be seen if a person finds a lump in the lip, mouth, or gums, finds a sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal, or has bleeding or pain in the mouth. Another sign of a cancer of the mouth or gums is when dentures no longer fit well. Often lip and oral cavity cancers are found by dentists when examining the teeth.

If there are symptoms, a doctor will examine the mouth using a mirror and lights. The doctor may order x-rays of the mouth. If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and look at it under the microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. The patient will be given a substance to take feeling away from the area for a short time (a local anesthetic) so no pain is felt. The doctor will also feel the throat for lumps.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on where the cancer is in the lip or mouth, whether the cancer is just in the lip or mouth or has spread to other tissues (the stage), and the patient’s general state of health.