Day: March 9, 2023

Mouth Cancer

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Know about mouth cancer

What is mouth cancer? Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the tissues of the mouth and throat. It can develop in any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, tongue, gums, and cheeks, as well as the oropharynx (the back of the throat, including the tonsils) and the larynx (the voice box). In Nepal, Oral cancer cases were reported at 4.9 new cases per 100,000 men, based on a report generated. Mouth cancer is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not caught and treated early. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you should know about Oral cancer, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Which Body Parts Are Affected From Mouth cancer? The oral cavity is the area of the body that includes the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, and hard and soft palates. It also includes the teeth, the floor of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth. Any of these areas can be affected by Oral cancer. • The lips are the most common area for lip cancer to develop. Lip cancer typically appears as a sore or a scaly patch on the lip that does not heal. • The tongue is another common area for Mouth cancer to develop. The cancerous cells may appear as a red or white patch on the tongue or as a sore that does not heal. • The gums are also a common area for Oral cancer to develop. The cancerous cells may appear as a red or white patch on the gums or as a sore that does not heal. • The cheeks, floor of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth are also areas that can be affected by Mouth cancer. In these areas, cancerous cells may appear as red or white patches or as sores that do not heal. It’s important to note that Oral cancer can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes in the neck. Causes and Risk Factors of Mouth cancer The exact cause of Mouth cancer is not known, but certain risk factors have been identified that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. The most common risk factors for Mouth cancer include the following: • Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco (such as chewing tobacco or snuff) is the leading cause of Oral cancer.  • Alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol use is also a major risk factor for Oral cancer. • Age: Mouth cancer is more common in people over the age of 50. • HPV infection: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that has been linked to certain types of Oral cancer, particularly in the oropharynx.  • Sun exposure: Long-term sun exposure increases the risk of lip cancer. Symptoms of Mouth cancer There can be a variety of symptoms associated with Mouth cancer, depending on the location and stage of the disease. Some of the most common symptoms are: • You may experience pain or numbness at the corners of your mouth or on your lips • Unhealed sores or lumps on the lips or in the mouth • Having difficulty swallowing or speaking • A change in the way the teeth fit together during the mouth is close. • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth • A sore throat or hoarseness that does not go away • A lump in the neck • Weight loss. It’ is important to know that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, such as cold sores or infections. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor (oral/mouth cancer surgeon) or dentist to be examined. Diagnosis of Mouth cancer Diagnosing Mouth cancer involves identifying the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as performing specific tests to confirm the diagnosis. If your doctor (Head and neck cancer surgeon) or dentist suspects that you may have Oral cancer, they will perform a thorough examination of your mouth and throat. They may also order additional tests, such as a biopsy, to confirm the diagnosis. Follow these steps to diagnosing Mouth cancer: Oral examination:  The first step in diagnosing Oral cancer is a thorough examination of the mouth and throat. During this exam, the dentist or doctor (oral/ mouth cancer surgeon) will look for any suspicious sores, lumps, or discolorations in the oral cavity. They may also feel for any lumps or hard areas in the lymph nodes in the neck. Biopsy:  If the oral examination reveals any suspicious areas, the next step is a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue from the suspicious area and analyzing it under a microscope. The only way to confirm an Oral cancer diagnosis is through a biopsy. Imaging tests:  Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, may be used to determine the stage of cancer and to check if it has spread to other parts of the body. Endoscopy:  An endoscopy may be performed to examine the throat, larynx, and pharynx. This procedure involves using a thin, lighted tube to look inside the throat. Other tests: Other tests such as blood tests, may be performed to check for the presence of cancer cells in the blood or to check the overall health of the patient. Preventive Measures of Mouth cancer? Preventing Mouth cancer is crucial to avoid the disease and its complications. Here are some preventive measures that can help reduce the risk of oral cancer: Quit smoking: Smoking and using smokeless tobacco are the leading cause of Oral cancer. Quitting smoking and avoiding smokeless tobacco can significantly reduce the risk of Mouth cancer. Limit alcohol consumption:  Heavy alcohol use is a major risk factor for Oral cancer. Limiting alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the risk of Oral cancer. Practice safe sun practices:  Prolonged exposure to the sun can increase the risk of … Read more

Oral Cancer Surgery

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Oral cancer surgery

Oral Cancer Surgery For most people who have oral cancer, surgery is the primary treatment. It is usually possible to remove these tumors through the opening of the oral cavity, but in some cases, a more extensive surgical procedure may be required. Your surgical options will be determined by factors such as your tumor’s size, stage, and location. Types of Oral Cancer surgery: One or more of the following procedures may be recommended depending on the stage of your oral cancer. We provide an in-depth guide to the different types of operations used to treat oral cancer. Tumour resection: A tumour resection is an operation that removes the tumour. In an effort to eradicate as many cancer cells as possible, the margin, which surrounds the tumour, is also removed during this procedure. Often, a small tumour can be removed through the mouth if it is easily reached. Tumours that are larger or harder to reach may require incisions in the neck, face, or jawbone. Full or partial mandible resection : It is occasionally necessary to remove the mandible or perform a mandibulectomy when the tumour has grown into the jaw bone. The jawbone is removed in part or in its entirety during this procedure. Only a small piece of the bone may be removed if an X-ray shows the jawbone is normal and no cancer cells are found in the area. On the other hand, if the X-ray shows cancer in the jawbone, it may be necessary to remove the entire bone. Glossectomy: Depending on the size oftumourtumor, the type of glossectomy used to remove tongue cancer may vary. In cases of very small tumours, a partial glossectomy may be used to treat them. The entire tongue may need to be removed if the tumour is large enough to require a glossectomy. Maxillectomy: In this operation, the hard palate, which forms the front of the mouth, is removed. In some cases, a denture can be used to fill the hole left by the surgery. You will likely be referred to a prosthodontist by your doctor in order to have a prosthesis tailored to your mouth. In cases where the jawbone is removed in large portions or completely, a prosthesis may not be possible. In this case, it may be necessary to reconstruct the maxilla surgically. Laryngectomy: An oncologist performs a laryngectomy by removing both the voice box and the primary tumour. To remove as many cancer cells as possible, some tissue involved in swallowing may need to be removed when a large tumour has grown on the tongue or in the oropharynx. This process can result in food entering the windpipe (trachea) and the lungs, causing pneumonia. Occasionally, a laryngectomy is recommended when pneumonia is likely to occur. As part of this procedure, a hole in the neck’s skin is used to connect the windpipe to the lungs. After having a laryngectomy, it is not guaranteed that a patient will no longer be able to speak. What Are The Possible Oral Cancer Surgery Procedures? In some circumstances, it may be possible to regain vocal function following a laryngectomy through the use of several techniques. Neck dissection : When lymph nodes in the neck have been affected by oral cancer, this type of surgery is used to remove them. There are different treatment options for lymph node cancer based on its size and extent, including the following: • Selective or partial neck dissection to remove only part of a lymph node • A radical neck dissection is sometimes performed to remove most lymph nodes between the jawbone and collarbone on one side of the neck, as well as some muscles and nerves • Extensive muscle, nerve, and vein removal along with a radical neck dissection to remove nearly all lymph nodes in one side Pedicle or free flap Reconstruction: A large tumour may require some kind of repair in the mouth, throat or neck after it has been removed. It is sometimes necessary to perform a skin graft. A thin slice of skin is removed from the thigh and reattached to the oral cavity area that needs repair. Depending on the size of the defect, a piece of muscle or skin may need to be shifted from a nearby area, such as the chest. Microsurgery : The advancement of microvascular surgery has aided in the reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx through the attachment of blood vessels under a microscope. As a result of these techniques, it may be possible to replace parts of the mouth, throat, or jawbone with tissue derived from distant parts of the body, such as the intestines, arm muscles, abdominal muscles, or even lower leg bones. Tracheostomy:  An opening in the windpipe and front of the neck may be made if a tumour in the oropharynx is too large to be completely removed. In some cases, the removal of a tumour may result in extensive swelling of the neck. A temporary tracheostomy, which is an incision made in the trachea, may be performed by your surgical oncology team to help ease your breathing until the swelling subsides. Gastrostomy tube:  It is sometimes possible to place a gastrostomy tube directly into the stomach. If an oral cavity or oropharynx cancer is preventing swallowing, this approach may be recommended. It may be possible to provide adequate nutrition to the patient via a gastrostomy tube. It is also possible to insert a feeding tube through the mouth into the stomach. A camera is attached to the end of a long, thin tube to perform this procedure, known as a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or PEG. A tube may be used to deliver liquid nutrients. Depending on the situation, these tubes may be inserted for a short or long time. You may leave them in after treatment if necessary to keep yourself healthy and fed. Once normal eating has been resumed, the tube can easily be removed. Dental extraction and implants:  It is possible to have to remove your … Read more