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Oral Cancer

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Oral Cancer

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, occurs when a tumour forms on the surface of the tongue, inside the mouth, on the lips, or on the gums. In some cases, it can also affect the salivary glands, tonsils, or the pharynx — the part of the throat that connects your mouth to your windpipe.

Common symptoms of mouth cancer include:

  • Mouth ulcers that don’t heal
  • Red or red-and-white patches on the inside of your mouth or tongue
  • A lump or swelling in the mouth that lasts longer than three weeks

Causes

Mouth cancer develops when something disrupts the normal lifecycle of cells in the mouth, causing them to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. These abnormal cells can then become cancerous.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing mouth cancer, including:

  • Smoking
  • Drinking alcohol — especially in large amounts, and even more so when combined with smoking
  • HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), the same virus that causes genital warts
  • A diet high in red meat and fried foods

Treatment

There are three main treatment options for mouth cancer:

  • Surgery – This involves removing the cancerous cells, and sometimes a small amount of surrounding tissue, to stop the cancer from spreading.
  • Chemotherapy – This treatment uses strong medication to target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
  • Radiotherapy – High-energy X-rays are used to kill cancer cells in a specific area of the mouth or throat.

Arrange An Appointment

If you’d like to book an appointment or just have a few questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the practice.

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How To Reduce The Risk Of Oral/Mouth Cancer

The best ways to reduce your risk of developing mouth cancer — or stop it from coming back after treatment — include:

  • Giving up smoking
  • Sticking to the recommended weekly alcohol limits (no more than 14 units for women and 21 units for men)
  • Following a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fresh veg (especially tomatoes), citrus fruits, olive oil, and fish

 

It’s also really important to have regular dental check-ups, as they help catch any early signs of mouth cancer — when treatment is likely to be most effective.