Oral Cavity Cancer Explained
Oral cavity cancer starts in the mouth and includes the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, front of the tongue, floor and roof of the mouth. The oral cavity stops at the throat just behind the mouth, called the oropharynx.
Oropharyngeal cancer (throat cancer) is closely related to oral cavity cancer (mouth cancer). It includes the back of the tongue, soft palate, tonsils and walls of the throat. Oropharynx and oral cavity tumors occur most often on the:
- Tongue
- Tonsils and oropharynx
- Gums
- Floor of the mouth
According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women.
Oral Cavity Cancer Treatment Options
Typically, your dentist or dental hygienist will find signs of oral cancer or pre-cancer during a cleaning. If your dentist or doctor suspects you may have mouth or throat cancer, he or she will perform several tests:
- Medical history
- Physical exam
- Head and neck exam (including lymph nodes)
- Panendoscopy
- Biopsy
- HPV testing
- Chest X-ray, CT scan or PET scan
- Barium swallow
- Blood tests
If you are diagnosed with mouth cancer, your doctor will recommend treatment depending on the type, size and stage. Oral cancer treatment options typically include:
The Different Types of Oral Cavity Cancers
There are several types of oral cancers, including:
