Mouth (oral) cancer
Talk to me.
Mouth cancer, also called oral cancer, can occur in any part of the mouth including the
- lips
- gums
- tongue
- inner cheeks
- roof (top) of mouth
- floor (bottom) of mouth
Mouth cancer is a part of the head and neck cancers, so it has a very similar treatment regimen.
Are there different types?
The majority of mouth cancer cases are called squamous cell carcinomas which usually start in the inner cheek, tongue, gums and lips.
Less common types of mouth cancers include
- adenocarcinoma - this develops in the glands that produce spit
- sarcoma
- oral malignant melanoma - this starts in skin cells
- lymphoma
If you have something worrying in a part of your mouth, please know that growths and tumors in the mouth are not always cancerous. They can also be benign growths (non cancerous) or pre-cancerous in which the cells are suspicious however they have not developed into cancer.
What can make you more likely to get it?
Key risk factors for people who might be diagnosed with mouth cancer include
- tobacco use - both chewing tobacco and smoking
- heavy alcohol use
- over exposure of lips to the sun
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- a weak immune system
More often than not it is men who are diagnosed with mouth cancer and usually over the age of 55.
How can I check to see if it's cancerous?
If you or your doctor think you might have mouth cancer, your doctor can perform an examination of your mouth, and take a tissue sample of suspicious areas (biopsy). Please note that there are many different methods to take an oral biopsy, so ask your doctor what's right for your case. The doctor will test the tissue sample for cancer, and if it comes back positive, she will walk you through the next steps.
Treatment
Treatment for mouth cancer includes three of the main cancer treatments: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Surgery can be a bit worrying for people with mouth cancer because of how it can affect your appearance and ability to talkand eat.
Once the cancer has been removed, reconstructive surgery can be successful in rebuilding the mouth.
Chemo and radiation might be used before or after surgery depending on your specific case, however they work better together to kill mouth cancer.
Additional Treatment
Targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy are also used to fight mouth cancer but are typically practiced in more advanced cases.
Targeted therapy such as a drug called Cetuximab (Erbitux) that stops the action of a protein that is more common in cancer cells, whereas immunotherapy helps your immune system to combat the cancer.
Talk to me.
Mouth cancer, also called oral cancer, can occur in any part of the mouth including the
- lips
- gums
- tongue
- inner cheeks
- roof (top) of mouth
- floor (bottom) of mouth
Mouth cancer is a part of the head and neck cancers, so it has a very similar treatment regimen.
Are there different types?
The majority of mouth cancer cases are called squamous cell carcinomas which usually start in the inner cheek, tongue, gums and lips.
Less common types of mouth cancers include
- adenocarcinoma - this develops in the glands that produce spit
- sarcoma
- oral malignant melanoma - this starts in skin cells
- lymphoma
If you have something worrying in a part of your mouth, please know that growths and tumors in the mouth are not always cancerous. They can also be benign growths (non cancerous) or pre-cancerous in which the cells are suspicious however they have not developed into cancer.
What can make you more likely to get it?
Key risk factors for people who might be diagnosed with mouth cancer include
- tobacco use - both chewing tobacco and smoking
- heavy alcohol use
- over exposure of lips to the sun
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- a weak immune system
More often than not it is men who are diagnosed with mouth cancer and usually over the age of 55.
How can I check to see if it's cancerous?
If you or your doctor think you might have mouth cancer, your doctor can perform an examination of your mouth, and take a tissue sample of suspicious areas (biopsy). Please note that there are many different methods to take an oral biopsy, so ask your doctor what's right for your case. The doctor will test the tissue sample for cancer, and if it comes back positive, she will walk you through the next steps.
Treatment
Treatment for mouth cancer includes three of the main cancer treatments: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Surgery can be a bit worrying for people with mouth cancer because of how it can affect your appearance and ability to talkand eat.
Once the cancer has been removed, reconstructive surgery can be successful in rebuilding the mouth.
Chemo and radiation might be used before or after surgery depending on your specific case, however they work better together to kill mouth cancer.
Additional Treatment
Targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy are also used to fight mouth cancer but are typically practiced in more advanced cases.
Targeted therapy such as a drug called Cetuximab (Erbitux) that stops the action of a protein that is more common in cancer cells, whereas immunotherapy helps your immune system to combat the cancer.
Symptom list:
Mouth (oral) 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!