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Head & Neck Mucosal Cancer: Oral Cancer
Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat and lips. Oral cancer occurs nearly twice as often in men than in women. Approximately eighty (80) percent of patients with oral cancer survive at least one year after diagnosis. Early detection is the key.
Risk factors
Cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking, using smokeless tobacco and excessive use of alcohol are the main risk factors for developing oral cancer. Fortunately, the incidence of oral cancer has decreased over the past two decades. .Most patients with oral cancer are between the ages of 50 and 70, but the number of younger patients is increasing.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Symptoms of oral cancer usually occur first in the mouth or throat, or on the tongue or lips and include:
- a sore that bleeds easily or doesn´t heal
- a lump or thickening
- a red or white patch that doesn´t go away
- a lump in the neck
Many of these symptoms may not be cancer, but if you notice one or more for more than two weeks, see your doctor or dentist.
Early Detection
Besides quitting smoking, avoiding smokeless tobacco and reducing alcohol use, the best defense against oral cancer is finding and treating it early. Tell your doctor or dentist if you notice a sore in your mouth that bleeds easily or doesn´t heal, a lump or thickening or a red or white patch that doesn´t go away.
Treatment of Oral Cancer
The treatment of oral cancer depends on the size and whether the cancer has spread or metatasise and your general health. The primary treatment methods for oral cancer are:
- Surgery – is the main treatment. Most cases are curative if the cancer is small
- Radiotherapy – is an alternative or additional therapy
- Chemotherapy – is for advance cancer either with radiotherapy and / or surgery.
Follow up Care
You will have follow-up visits, routine exams and blood tests to:
- Check for any recurrence
- Chest X–ray, CT scan for recurrence – if required
- Blood count and liver function
Regular follow-up and screening is vital due to the high risk of cancer returning to the oral cavity or other areas in the head and neck region. Patients with oral cancer will need regular follow-up for 5 years; every 3 months for the first 2 years and then every 6 months for remaining 3 years. 80-90% of new cancers occur within the first three years.
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