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Mouth Cancer – What You Should Know
Having mouth cancer can be extremely terrifying. However, there are ways that you can minimize your risk of developing the disease. The first thing that you should do is talk to your doctor about the disease. They will be able to tell you if you are at a higher risk of developing the disease and give you tips on how to avoid it.
Alcohol and tobacco
Combined exposure to alcohol and tobacco is a major risk factor for mouth cancer. In Puerto Rico, a large proportion of oral cancer cases are associated with the use of both substances. Alcohol alone accounts for a higher proportion of cases in women than in men. However, the proportion of cases attributed to tobacco alone has not been fully evaluated.
Alcohol and tobacco are the main causes of mouth cancer, as well as throat, larynx, and pharynx cancer. Alcohol consumption is associated with a 5-fold higher risk of cancer of the mouth and throat, whereas tobacco smoking accounts for three-quarters of cancers. It has also been shown that the use of smokeless tobacco products (which contain nicotine and nitrosamines) increases the risk of mouth cancer.
Tobacco and alcohol have been suggested to interact with each other to increase the risk of head and neck cancer. This may depend on the geographic region and subsite of cancer. Generally, the higher the frequency of alcohol and tobacco use, the higher the risk of head and neck cancer. However, the magnitude of the combined effect on the risk of head and neck cancer is not clear.
Among the 521 population-based controls, the average alcohol and tobacco PAR was 35%, with alcohol alone accounting for 4% of the total PAR. The alcohol and tobacco PAR for pharynx cancer was intermediate to the oral cavity cancer and larynx cancer, but lower than the PAR for oropharynx cancer. Alcohol and tobacco were associated with a significantly higher risk of pharyngeal cancer in the population-based controls.
Several studies suggest that alcohol and tobacco enhance each other’s effects. These effects include increased production of enzymes that convert tobacco tar into carcinogens. They also may reduce the immune system, which may lead to inflammation. These effects may contribute to the increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
Tobacco smoking is the main cause of lung and trachea cancers in men. It is also associated with the development of nonsalivary gland cancers of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx. In Puerto Rico, a large proportion (72%) of salivary gland cancers are caused by tobacco use.
Other risk factors
Several risk factors contribute to the development of oral cancer. The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Tobacco use is the biggest risk factor. A smoker’s risk of developing oral cancer is twice that of a non-smoker. Smokeless tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco are also associated with increased risk. Using tobacco in conjunction with alcohol can increase the risk by up to ten times.
Alcohol use is the second biggest risk factor. A person who drinks more than twenty drinks a week has a higher risk of oral cancer than a person who doesn’t drink. This is especially true for men. In the UK, the recommended alcohol intake is 14 units per week.
Sun exposure is also a risk factor. People who have a history of sunburns or sunburns that are severe may increase their risk of developing oral cancer. It is a good idea to apply lip protection that has an SPF of at least fifteen. People who have lighter skin should be extra careful.
Another risk factor is a weakened immune system. This can occur if someone has had an organ transplant or taken drugs that suppress the immune system.
Poor oral hygiene may also increase the risk of oral cancer. This may be the case if people do not have dental care or use mouthwash with alcohol content. Other risk factors include the use of ill-fitting dentures and drinking hot beverages.
Another risk factor is a family history of oral cancer. People who have a first-degree relative with oral cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. People who have an inherited condition of the bone marrow also have an increased risk of oral cancer.
One of the other risk factors is the human papillomavirus. This virus can be transmitted through sexual contact. A person’s risk of getting HPV increases if their immune system is weakened. To prevent HPV, avoid extended sun exposure and practice safe sex.
It is important to see a dentist regularly for dental checkups and screenings. This will help detect early-stage cancers. Early detection increases the chances of a cure.
Diagnosis
Detecting mouth cancer is a difficult task. This is because the tumor is often asymptomatic. Cancer may have begun growing deeper in the tissues of the oral cavity. Cancer may be in the inner and outer lips, cheeks, and gums. Cancer can also spread to the tonsils and salivary glands.
The first step in diagnosing mouth cancer is to perform an oral cavity check. The exam may include a brush biopsy. A brush biopsy is a painless procedure in which the dentist collects cells from the tumor. The sample is examined and then removed.
The examination may also include a CT scan. A CT scan is a diagnostic test that can detect the presence of soft tissues and other structures in the mouth. The CT scan may also be used to detect the spread of cancer.
The doctor may also use a PET scan to detect whether cancer has spread beyond the oral cavity. This can be used to determine the position and depth of cancer.
Another type of diagnosis is an endoscopy. This procedure involves threading a thin catheter with a camera on the end. The doctor will then take detailed pictures and analyze the models. The pictures will help determine the type of mouth cancer and the extent of the tumor.
A CT scan may also be used to detect the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, chemotherapy may be administered to reduce the size of the tumor. Chemotherapy damages the DNA of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with radiation therapy.
The extent of surgery depends on the size and extent of cancer. In some cases, a complete cure may be possible with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Mouth cancer symptoms are often confused with other throat and dental problems. The symptoms include sores that don’t heal, difficulty swallowing, and changes in oral tissue.
Cancer in the mouth can be treated in the early stages. The outlook for mouth cancer is largely dependent on the type of cancer and the person’s general health. If you are diagnosed with mouth cancer, you may experience a variety of emotions. However, the best prognosis is usually achieved when the cancer is diagnosed early.
Treatment options
During treatment for mouth cancer, the patient may have to deal with a number of side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. However, these side effects may vary from person to person. Fortunately, there are treatments for these side effects.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatment options. Often, chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy or targeted drug therapy.
Surgery is another common treatment for mouth cancer. In surgery, a surgeon removes the tumor, which may also involve removing the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. The size of the tumor and the location of cancer will determine the extent of surgery. Larger tumors may require reconstructive surgery to replace the tissues that were removed.
Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy beams to destroy tumors. The procedure can cause red, burn-like skin reactions. It may also cause tooth decay, jaw stiffness, and mouth sores.
In combination with radiation therapy, chemotherapy may be used to shrink cancer cells and kill them. It may also be used to treat advanced mouth cancer.
Patients can undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which focuses on reducing the size of cancer before surgery. Another treatment option is a punch biopsy, which removes a smaller section of tissue. This procedure can be performed on the inside of the cheek or the tongue.
Other treatment options for mouth cancer include immunotherapy, which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. In immunotherapy, substances in labs are used to make substances that act like immune system components, thus boosting the body’s ability to attack cancer cells.
There are a number of treatments available for mouth cancer, but the treatment options will depend on the severity and location of cancer. It is important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor before you decide on a course of treatment. This will help you weigh the pros and cons of each treatment.
Whether you choose surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, you will need to be prepared for some side effects. For example, chemotherapy can cause vomiting, nausea, and hair loss. In addition, radiation therapy can cause dry mouth and tooth decay.
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