If you’ve been diagnosed with mouth cancer, you may be wondering what your options are. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are all available treatments. On average, patients with mouth cancer live 5 years after diagnosis. Some even live much longer without the disease recurring. Learn more about treatment options for mouth cancer from a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Here are some tips to make the most of your treatment. Keep in mind that not all treatment options are suitable for everyone.
Mouth cancer can affect the tongue, lips, cheeks, floor of mouth, pharynx, or sinuses. Fortunately, most types of mouth cancer are treatable and curable if detected early. Most cases of mouth cancer are squamous cell carcinomas, which arise from the cells in the lining of the mouth. Men are more likely to develop mouth cancer than women, and it’s more common among people over 50.
Treatment for mouth cancer depends on the type of tumor and its stage. Early stage cancer can be treated with minor surgery and recovery is quick. Advanced stage cancer usually requires a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Advances in cancer research have made surgery and rehabilitation of the mouth significantly better. And new cancer medications like cetuximab are available for patients with advanced cancer. If you’re diagnosed with mouth cancer, your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you.
Symptoms of mouth cancer include a painful canker sore or a swollen or ulcerated mouth. The condition can cause a range of symptoms, including bleeding, pain, and discoloration. If you suspect that you have mouth cancer, visit your dentist as soon as possible. A dentist can detect precancerous cells and offer treatment. Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment will significantly reduce the chances of your cancer returning.
As long as you catch the disease early, your chances of survival are high. In many cases, mouth cancer presents itself very late and patients usually have no symptoms in the early stages. But early diagnosis can dramatically improve survival rates and significantly enhance a patient’s quality of life. You should schedule regular checkups to ensure that you’re in good health. There’s no reason to wait until you’ve developed a malignant tumor.
Oral cancer is a major cause of death in the United States, accounting for 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, there are about 53,000 new cases of oral cancer each year. Ninety percent of cases of mouth cancer are squamous cell carcinomas, which are flat and resemble fish scales on a microscopic level. The abnormal growth of these cells leads to the development of oral cancer.
During the early stage of mouth cancer, the doctor will most likely use a tongue depressor to move your tongue. A thorough examination of the inside of the mouth, including the ears, cheeks, nose, neck, and throat, will help the physician determine the appropriate course of treatment. Sometimes, surgery is not enough. In this case, radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, may be recommended. It can be combined with chemotherapy for more advanced cases.
