Oral Cancer FAQs. What is oral cancer? How many people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year?

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Ethel Lucas
5 years ago
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of the mouth (hard palate). Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the oropharynx, which is the part of the throat just behind the mouth.

1 Oral Cancer FAQs What is oral cancer? Oral cancer or oral cavity cancer, is cancer that starts in the mouth. Areas affected by this type of cancer are the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa), the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the bony roof of the mouth (hard palate). Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the oropharynx, which is the part of the throat just behind the mouth. This type of cancer can affect the base of the tongue (the back third of the tongue), the soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth), the tonsils, and the side and back wall of the throat. Most oral cancer begins in the flat cells (squamous cells) that cover the surfaces of the oral cavity. These cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas and account for about 90% of all oral cancers. How many people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year? According to the Oral Cancer Foundation and the National Cancer Institute, Approximately 43,000 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in This includes those cancers that occur in the mouth itself, in the very back of the mouth known as the oropharynx, and on the exterior lip of the mouth.

2 What are the common risk factors for oral cancer? Tobacco and Alcohol: Despite one s gender, using tobacco in any form and heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of developing oral cancer. Age: Two-thirds of all cases are diagnosed in people age 55 and older. This is most likely due to the cumulative effects of all the risk factors above over an extended period of time. Gender: Oral cancer is twice more common in men than women. This may be because men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol over long periods of time and in larger doses. Occupation: Those with outdoor jobs who experience prolonged sun exposure are at greater risk for developing lip cancer. Lifestyle: The sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) puts people at increased risk for cancers of the oropharynx. Diet: Some studies have found that people with diets low in fruits and vegetables tend to be at greater risk. Betel Quid or Gutka: Chewing these products is also a risk factor for the development oral cancer. What are the symptoms or oral cancer? The following symptoms and others may be caused by oral cancers, but it s important to remember that other conditions may share these same symptoms, so always talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following: A sore on the lips or in the mouth that does not go away (most common) A persistent area of discoloration Swelling or lump in the check, jaw or neck which does not go away Pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking For a more detailed list of potential oral cancer symptoms, click these links.

3 How do I reduce my risk for oral cancer? The best way to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer is to address the most common risk factors listed below. Eliminate all tobacco use including cigarettes. cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, especially hard liquor Limit sun exposure and use a lip balm with sunscreen protection Practice safe sex Maintain good nutrition How is oral cancer diagnosed? The American Cancer Society and the American Dental Association recommend a thorough oral exam during routine dental and medical checkups. After determining the medical history and risk factors, the doctor or dentist will visually inspect the oral cavity and pharynx looking for abnormalities that may be suspicious to the eye. They will also inspect for abnormalities of the lymph nodes in the neck. Abnormalities noted by the dentist or doctor may include unhealed sores, discolored areas including but not limited to red, white or gray patches, lumps, swelling or other problems. If an exam identifies an abnormal or suspicious area, the doctor or dentist needs to decide if and when to refer the patient to an oral surgeon to remove a small sample of tissue (biopsy) from the area of concern. A pathologist then looks at the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if the abnormal area is cancerous. Up until recently, the decision for a tissue biopsy was based solely on the visual appearance of the abnormal region and unfortunately it is often very difficult to accurately distinguish cancer from benign lesions in this fashion. Consequently, delays in diagnosing cancer are frequent and at the same time many of the biopsies that are performed turn out to be normal. The PeriRx salivary test for oral squamous cell carcinoma is a valuable aid to the practitioner in determining which lesions to send for an early biopsy and which ones to observe over time for possible natural resolution.

4 What treatment is available for oral cancer? Treatment usually involves surgery, but this depends on the stage and location of the cancer. Surgery may be followed by radiation or radiation in combination with chemotherapy. In advanced cases treatment is not always successful as up to 70% of the cases relapse and can result in death. The outcomes are more positive if the lesion is diagnosed early, but unfortunately symptoms and physical findings are often ignored and most oral cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. For more information on treatment options click these links: What can be done to detect oral cancer earlier? According to the National Cancer Institute there are over 8,000 deaths annually in the US attributable to oropharyngeal cancer. When detected early, the mortality rate for oral cancer is less than 10%, yet when diagnosed in later stages; the mortality rate is more than 50%. These statistics highlight the lack of sufficient screening that can provide potential cancer patients with critical early detection. As with most screenings, cost and convenience play a significant factor. There is a solution: The PeriRx saliva test for oral squamous cell carcinoma is quick, convenient, and painless and can reduce overall costs by avoiding unnecessary biopsies. What s more, because this test directs patients at highest risk of oral cancer to earlier definitive diagnosis, it may also reduce the amount of costly invasive surgeries, which can cause facial disfigurement as well as impaired speech and difficulty eating. Early detection of oral cancer is the key to positive patient outcomes and the PeriRx saliva test for oral squamous cell carcinoma is an effective facilitator of early detection and accurate diagnosis.

How to Interpret the SaliMark OSCC Test Report? This test provides the most accurate molecular information available to stratify the risk for the presence of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Low risk scores are associated with a substantially reduced chance of malignancy.

5 How to Interpret the SaliMark OSCC Test Report? This test provides the most accurate molecular information available to stratify the risk for the presence of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A weighted summation of the biomarkers provides a single test score on a continuous scale and can be categorized as low, moderate or high risk. Low risk scores are associated with a substantially reduced chance of malignancy. High-risk scores are associated with an increased chance of malignancy while moderate scores carry less additional risk. The exact chance of cancer in any particular patient depends on the test score as well as on other clinical factors. Therefore, the test is intended to be used in the context of a thorough patient evaluation. What to do After Receiving the Test Results? A low-risk score is associated with a significantly reduced chance that an oral lesion is malignant A moderate-risk score may raise enough concern about an oral lesion to warrant referral to a specialist A high-risk score is associated with a significantly increased chance that an oral lesion is malignant, and referral to a specialist is recommended These results substantially enhance the clinical assessment of patients with oral lesions that are suspicious for cancer

Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer

Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer Figure 18 Definition: Oral cancer begins in the mouth and can include the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, the floor of the tongue, the roof of the mouth, and the front two-thirds