Oral Cancer

  • Oral Cancer
    Oral cancer refers to cancers of the head and neck. It includes cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, salivary glands, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses and pharynx. Brain cancer falls in a different category.  
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 12 October 2015
Oral Cancer Overview

Oral cancer refers to cancers of the head and neck. It includes cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, salivary glands, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses and pharynx. Brain cancer falls in a different category. The leading causes of oral cancer are smoking and drinking too much alcohol.

Ninety per cent of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma of oral mucosal origin. Squamous cells line the lips and the oral cavity.

The oral cavity is bounded above and laterally by the upper jaw and lower jaw bones, teeth and gums; above by the palate; and below by the tongue. The oral cavity opens at the back into pharynx. 

Changed
26/Apr/2024
Community
Cancer
Condition
Oral Cancer

Stories

  • Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms
    Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
    If you have any of the following, see your dentist: Swelling, ulcer or any type of growth in the oral cavity or around the mouth White or red patches on lips, gum, tongue or mouth lining A lump that can be felt inside the mouth or on the neck Pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking Continued hoarseness of voice Numbness or pain in any area of the mouth that doesn’t go away Swelling of the upper or lower jaw Sudden loosening of teeth Difficulty in wearing dentures Bleeding in any…
  • Cancer Diagnosis and Tests
    Diagnosis and Tests for Oral Cancer
    Dentist can identify any sign or abnormality during check-up and based on that they can refer Oral -maxillofacial surgeon - head and neck surgeon for further diagnosis. Examination of oral cavity, including lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard palate, soft palate, tonsillar area, buccal mucosa is done to check any abnormal changes such as red or white patches, lump, ulcers or lesions. Sub mandibular, sub lingual and cervical lymph nodes are examined to identify any swelling…
  • Oral Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
    Risk factors for Oral Cancer
    The risk factors include the following: Habitual smoking, taking snuff and chewing of tobacco,gutka, pan or areca nut Heavy drinking of alcohol Human papilloma virus (HPV) Epstein-Barr virus Lichen planus  that causes white lines and spots in the mouth. On immuno suppression drugs Exposure to radiation at a young age Previous personal history of cancer elsewhere in the body Family history of cancer Certain genetic traits and syndromes (such as Fanconi anemia and Dsykeratosis congenita)…
  • Cancer Prevention
    Prevention of Oral Cancer
    Can oral cancer be prevented Go for regular screening. People without risk factors should get screened every 6 months. Those with risk factors should get screened monthly. If oral cancer is detected early, the cure rate is more than 80%. Your dentist will examine your mouth during a routine visit, anyway, but if you have any concern, do mention it. Do not use tobacco in any form (both smoking and chewing tobacco can cause cancer) Do not chew betel nut or pan Do not drink alcohol in excess Stay…
  • Oral Cancer Overview
    Oral Cancer
    Oral cancer refers to cancers of the head and neck. It includes cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, salivary glands, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses and pharynx. Brain cancer falls in a different category. The leading causes of oral cancer are smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Ninety per cent of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma of oral mucosal origin. Squamous cells line the lips and the oral cavity. The oral cavity is bounded above and laterally by the…
  • Stop Your Child Smoking
    Why your child is at risk and what to say to him or her. By Dr Shital Raval Patel. When you think of a smoker, you don’t think of a 10-year-old. But 67% of smokers in India start the tobacco habit between the ages of 9 and 15. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2006), more than one third of students aged 13 to 15 years (36.8%) reported initiating tobacco use before the age of 10 (Sinha et al., 2008). This could be cigarettes, bidis (which have three times the amount of nicotine and…

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