Mouth Cancer Causes
Cancer is referred to as the uncontrollable growth of cells which invade and cause damage to the surrounding tissue. Mouth cancer, also called as oral cancer, is where the tumour develops in any part of the mouth. It can be either on the surface of the tongue or the inside of the cheeks, or the roof of the mouth called palate, or the lips or the gums. Tumours can also tend to develop in the glands which produce saliva, in the tonsils at the back of the mouth, and in the part of the throat which is connecting your mouth to your windpipe or pharynx. However, these are much less common. Mouth cancer is amongst the most several types of cancers which is grouped in a category known as the head and neck cancers. Mouth cancer and the other head and neck cancers are generally treated similarly. Oral cancer generally occurs in the people over the age of 40 and affects more than about twice as many men as women. Most oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use or both, or an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In this article, we will study what is mouth cancer, mouth cancer causes, what are the symptoms of mouth cancer, and oral cancer reasons.
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Mouth Cancer Causes
Let us first learn about the mouth cancer reasons in detail. Given below are the mouth cancer causes.
Tobacco and Alcohol usage: Tobacco usage of any kind, which includes cigarette smoking, puts you at a higher risk of developing oral cancers. Heavy alcohol usage also increases the oral cancer risk. Using both tobacco and alcohol increases the risk of developing cancer even further.
HPV: An Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, especially the HPV 16 type is linked to oral cancers.
Age: The risk to develop oral cancer increases with age. Oral cancers quite often develop in people that are over the age of 40.
Sun Exposure: Cancer of the lip may be caused due to the sun exposure as well.
What are the Symptoms of Mouth Cancer?
The most common symptoms of mouth cancer are given as follows:
Swellings or thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots or crusts or eroded areas found on the lips, gums, or several other areas inside the mouth
The development of a velvety white, red, or speckled white and red coloured patches inside the mouth
An unexplained bleeding inside the mouth
An unexplained numbness, or loss of any feeling, or pain or tenderness in any of the areas of the mouth, face or neck.
Developing persistent sores on the mouth, face, or neck, which bleed easily and do not heal within a span of 2 weeks
Soreness or feeling that something is trapped in the back of your throat
Difficulty in chewing or swallowing, difficulty in speaking, or even moving your jaw or tongue
Hoarseness in voice, chronic sore throat, or a change in voice
Pain in the ears
A change in the way the teeth or the dentures fit together
Drastic weight loss
Oral Cancer Diagnosis
Since oral cancer can be spread quickly, early detection is very important. An oral cancer examination can be able to detect any early signs of cancer. The examination is painless and takes only a couple of minutes. Many dentists will also perform this test at the time of your regular dental check-ups.
During this exam, your dentist or the dental hygienist will examine your face, lips, neck and the entire mouth for any possible signs of cancer.
Oral Cancer Treatment
There are usually three main treatment options that are available for mouth cancer. These include the following:
Surgery for removing the cancerous cells, along with the tiny bit of the surrounding normal tissue or cells for ensuring that the cancer is completely removed
Radiotherapy wherein the beams of radiation are targeted at the cancerous cells
Chemotherapy wherein the powerful medicines are used for killing the cancerous cells
These treatments are used in a combination many times. For example, the surgery might be followed by the course of the radiotherapy to help in preventing the cancer from returning.
Apart from trying to cure the mouth cancer, the treatment will also focus on preserving the important functions of the mouth, such as breathing, eating, and speaking. Maintaining the appearance of your mouth would also be of a high priority.
FAQs on What is Mouth Cancer
1. What exactly is mouth cancer and which parts of the mouth does it typically affect?
Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is a type of head and neck cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in any part of the oral cavity. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma. It can develop in several areas, including:
- The surface of the tongue
- The inner lining of the cheeks
- The lips
- The gums
- The roof of the mouth (palate)
- The floor of the mouth (under the tongue)
2. What are the primary causes and major risk factors associated with developing mouth cancer?
The development of mouth cancer is strongly linked to certain lifestyle habits and risk factors. The main causes include:
- Tobacco use: This is the single largest risk factor, including smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and using smokeless chewing tobacco.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking significantly increases the risk, and the risk is even higher when combined with tobacco use.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Certain strains of HPV, particularly HPV16, are a growing cause of oropharyngeal cancers.
- Sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun is a primary cause of cancer on the lips.
- Poor diet: A diet low in fruits and vegetables can increase the risk.
3. What are the common early symptoms of mouth cancer that should not be ignored?
Early detection is crucial for successful treatment. Common signs and symptoms to watch for include a sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks, a persistent lump in the mouth or neck, and unexplained loose teeth. Other symptoms are white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue, known as leukoplakia and erythroplakia, respectively, as well as persistent pain or difficulty when swallowing (dysphagia).
4. How do doctors diagnose mouth cancer and what do the different stages indicate?
Diagnosis typically begins with a physical examination of the mouth. If a suspicious area is found, a small tissue sample is taken for a biopsy to check for cancerous cells. If cancer is confirmed, it is staged to determine its extent. Staging usually uses the TNM system: T (tumour size), N (spread to nearby lymph nodes), and M (metastasis or spread to distant parts of the body). A lower stage (e.g., Stage I) indicates a small, localized cancer, while a higher stage (e.g., Stage IV) indicates a larger tumour or one that has spread.
5. Why is tobacco, in both smoking and chewing forms, considered the single biggest cause of mouth cancer?
Tobacco is the leading cause because it contains dozens of potent carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals). When smoked, these chemicals are inhaled and coat the oral tissues. When chewed, these carcinogens are held in direct and prolonged contact with the mouth's lining. This constant exposure damages the DNA of the oral cells, disrupting their normal growth cycle and leading to mutations that cause malignant tumours to form.
6. What is the key difference between a common canker sore and a potential cancerous lesion?
While both can appear as sores in the mouth, their characteristics are very different. A common canker sore is typically painful but benign and heals on its own within one to two weeks. In contrast, a potential cancerous lesion is often painless in its early stages, persists for more than three weeks without healing, and may feel thick, hard, or lumpy. Any non-healing sore should be professionally evaluated.
7. What determines if mouth cancer is curable, and what are the primary treatment methods?
The curability of mouth cancer largely depends on the stage at diagnosis. When detected early, before it has spread, the prognosis is very good. The main factors influencing the outcome are the tumour's size, location, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. The primary treatment options are:
- Surgery: To remove the cancerous tumour and, if necessary, nearby lymph nodes.
- Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, often used after surgery.
- Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells, typically for cancers that have spread or to increase the effectiveness of radiation.
