Mouth cancer is defined as any cancer that develops between the lips in the front and on the back of the tongue and palate. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma.
It is strongly linked to alcohol consumption and smoking, especially when smoking two packs a day.
The manifestation of mouth cancer is typically seen as a reddish or whitish lesion on the mucosa of the mouth's floor, edges, or at the base of the tongue, as well as on the inside of the cheeks. It usually has a surrounding rim and feels harder than the rest of the mucosa. It may resemble an ulcer or a lump growing towards the inside of the mouth. In more advanced stages, it may be accompanied by pain in the mouth and difficulty swallowing food.
In up to 30% of cases, the lesion may appear on the lower lip, and this is associated with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Diagnosis is typically made through direct observation of the lesion at the dentist's office. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy or brushing of the lesion will be performed. Sometimes, laryngoscopy and/or esophagoscopy may be conducted, along with other imaging tests such as chest X-rays or CT scans, to complete the extension study.
Treatment involves surgery, often complemented with chemotherapy or postoperative radiotherapy depending on the specific case.
Survival rates vary depending on whether the cancer remains confined to the mouth or has spread. The survival rate for localized tongue or floor of the mouth cancer is over 75% at 5 years, but if there is metastasis to the lymph nodes, survival drops to half.
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