Symptoms of mouth cancer often appear in the face. If there’s a lump on the tongue, you should see a specialist who will be able to diagnose the condition. This doctor will examine your mouth with a small mirror and a light. If the lump is not located on the tongue, your doctor may refer you to a neck lump clinic. A nasendoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to see inside your mouth and pharynx.
If you notice white patches or sores on your tongue, you may have oral cancer. The symptoms of mouth cancer can be similar to common conditions, but they’re much more serious. If left untreated, they can spread to other areas of your body, including your throat and head. The sooner you get diagnosed, the more likely you are to be successful in battling your disease. If your mouth cancer is found early, it may be curable.
Treatment for mouth cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the symptoms present. Surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor, or a margin of healthy tissue around it. Reconstruction may be needed if the cancer has spread to other areas of the mouth. If surgery is not possible, radiation therapy can be used to kill tumor cells and prevent them from replicating. However, this treatment is not curative and will only alleviate your symptoms and your quality of life.
Your dentist can perform an oral cancer screening during a routine dental checkup. Dentists are highly trained to detect cancer in the mouth. They know the features of healthy mouths and have the best chance of catching it early. Experts recommend that oral cancer screenings start at age 18 and should be performed even earlier if you smoke or have sex. Your dentist will examine you and feel for lumps, neck or head irregularities, or sores in the mouth. In the end, your dentist will be able to tell whether or not you have oral cancer.
The type of mouth cancer that you develop is entirely dependent on the type of cells present. Squamous cells are the most common type, accounting for 90 percent of all mouth cancers. They are found on the lips, the roof of the mouth, and the lining of hollow organs. This type of cancer is caused when something goes wrong with the normal cycle of cell growth, causing the cells to multiply uncontrollably. Mouth cancer is common among older adults, but younger people can develop the disease as well.
Alcohol and tobacco use are also risk factors for mouth cancer. Heavy alcohol and tobacco use increase your chances of developing mouth cancer. It is also important to reduce your intake of alcohol as tobacco is associated with increased risk of cancer. If you are a smoker, it is important to quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. These habits may also help you prevent mouth cancer in the future. But there are no guarantees, and mouth cancer is not curable once it has started.
