Floor of mouth cancer
What's the scoop?
Floor of mouth cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that starts underneath the tongue in the soft area on the bottom of the mouth. It usually develops as a sore, lump or cut, so it can be mistaken for a canker sore.
Who's most at risk?
There are certain things or habbits that can make someone more likely to develop floor of mouth cancer. This includes:
chew tobacco
drink alcohol
have HPV (human papillomavirus)
take medicine that lowers your immune system
How can I check to see if I have it?
If you have symptoms of floor of mouth cancer, your doctor may first have a look at the area and discuss with you your family history and lifestyle.
Next, your doctor may recommend taking a biopsy, or tissue sample, of the area to test for cancerous cells. If the tests come back as cancerous, the medical team will most likely order an imaging test, such as a CT, MRI or PET scan so see if the cancer has spread to other areas in the body.
Treatment
Treatment for floor of mouth cancer can be a little tricky based on the location of the cancer, so it is important to understand all of your options in order to cure the cancer as well as preserve the look and function of the mouth.
The good news is floor of mouth cancer is very treatable when it is caught in early stages.
If your cancer is caught early on, radiation may be used as the only treatment necessary to target and kill the cancer.
Surgery is one of the primary treatment options for floor of mouth cancer and will depend on the size and location of the tumor. The surgery may only be to remove the tumor itself, or in more advanced cases, to remove part of the jawbone. Surgery on the jawbone is called a mandibulectomy.
Chemotherapy is also another option of floor and mouth cancer. Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to make sure that all the cancer cells have been killed, and it can also be combined with radiation.
After initial treatment the patient may need reconstructive surgery in which the medical team needs to restore some of the functions of the mouth. Also, the patient may require rehabilitation in speech, swallowing, and other mouth functions that may have been affected by the cancer treatment.
What's the scoop?
Floor of mouth cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that starts underneath the tongue in the soft area on the bottom of the mouth. It usually develops as a sore, lump or cut, so it can be mistaken for a canker sore.
Who's most at risk?
There are certain things or habbits that can make someone more likely to develop floor of mouth cancer. This includes:
chew tobacco
drink alcohol
have HPV (human papillomavirus)
take medicine that lowers your immune system
How can I check to see if I have it?
If you have symptoms of floor of mouth cancer, your doctor may first have a look at the area and discuss with you your family history and lifestyle.
Next, your doctor may recommend taking a biopsy, or tissue sample, of the area to test for cancerous cells. If the tests come back as cancerous, the medical team will most likely order an imaging test, such as a CT, MRI or PET scan so see if the cancer has spread to other areas in the body.
Treatment
Treatment for floor of mouth cancer can be a little tricky based on the location of the cancer, so it is important to understand all of your options in order to cure the cancer as well as preserve the look and function of the mouth.
The good news is floor of mouth cancer is very treatable when it is caught in early stages.
If your cancer is caught early on, radiation may be used as the only treatment necessary to target and kill the cancer.
Surgery is one of the primary treatment options for floor of mouth cancer and will depend on the size and location of the tumor. The surgery may only be to remove the tumor itself, or in more advanced cases, to remove part of the jawbone. Surgery on the jawbone is called a mandibulectomy.
Chemotherapy is also another option of floor and mouth cancer. Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to make sure that all the cancer cells have been killed, and it can also be combined with radiation.
After initial treatment the patient may need reconstructive surgery in which the medical team needs to restore some of the functions of the mouth. Also, the patient may require rehabilitation in speech, swallowing, and other mouth functions that may have been affected by the cancer treatment.
Symptom list:
Floor of mouth cancer
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!