What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that involves the oral cavity. Basically, it is cancer that happens in the mouth, and it does fall under the larger umbrella of head and neck cancers. The causes of oral cancer can include smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, certain infections—especially infection with HPV—or chronic irritation.
What are the early signs of oral cancer?
Some of the early signs of oral cancer that patients can look out for include lumps in the mouth, tongue, or roof of the mouth; ulcers or abscesses that do not heal for over two weeks; difficulty swallowing; or irritation in the throat area. Again, we're looking for signs that are unusual and that stay the same or do not improve over a two-week period.
What are the most common symptoms of oral cancer?
The most common symptoms of oral cancer include red and white patches, changes in the tissues, lumps that you can feel underneath your jaw, difficulty swallowing, irritation in the throat, and ulcers anywhere in the mouth that do not heal within a two-week period.
What does early-stage oral cancer look like?
The early stages of oral cancer can look just like any irritation in the mouth, such as a small ulcer or the type of swollen lymph node that you might get with strep throat. It could also be minor lumps that you feel in your cheek area, tongue area, the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue, or the throat. Oral cancer can appear anywhere, but the very back of the tongue, the sides of the tongue, and the floor of the mouth are probably the most common areas for oral cancer to appear. A lump on the gum could also be an early sign of oral cancer.
What is the connection between HPV and oral cancer?
Now, what's the connection between HPV and oral cancer? HPV, especially HPV16, is involved in mouth infections. This kind of infection can lead to oral cancer.
How would we diagnose oral cancer?
During a dental visit—at every dental visit and every hygiene appointment—you will receive an oral cancer screening. The screening involves a visual exam, where we look in the mouth for anything that does not look normal, such as changes in the way the tissue looks or the color of the tissue. There is also a physical screening, which is basically palpation, where we try to feel underneath the jaw area and inside the cheek area. We're looking for lumps, lymph nodes, unusual tenderness, or hard tissue that may be present.
What are the treatment options for oral cancer?
When oral cancer is diagnosed, there are multiple treatment options. These can include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. It all depends on the type of oral cancer and the stage at which it was discovered. Early detection is everything. The earlier we catch the cancer, the easier it is for us to treat it. Early stages of oral cancer are tricky because they can be asymptomatic, which basically means you're not aware of it.
Can oral cancer be treated if caught early?
If caught early, oral cancer can be treated.
You’re never alone in caring for your oral health. At Loudoun Smile Center, our team is here to support and meet you where you are in your dental journey. Call (703) 297-4407 or email [email protected] to connect with us today.