Understanding Oral Cancer: Symptoms and Detection

Oral cancer is defined along with other head and neck cancers due to the proximity and ease with which the cancer can be spread in the neck and throat region. Mouth cancer symptoms however can be more easily detected than other types of cancers.

Mouth cancer symptoms can present as a number of unique symptoms including an open sore on the inside of the mouth or numbness in a specific area of the mouth (generally where a tumor is developing). There may or may not be an abnormal lump on the inside of the mouth and some discomfort or swelling of the jaw.

In advanced stages mouth cancer symptoms can included a change in the tone of voice (if the cancer has progressed to the larynx area or "voice box" in the throat or even an entire loss of voice. Difficulty chewing and swallowing may be noted as well as bleeding in the mouth or throat. These symptoms may not prompt action from the patient as they may be misconstrued as other symptoms such as tonsillitis, infected adenoids or even a cold or flu symptom, as they may accompany inner ear pain and be misdiagnosed as an infection. However when the mouth cancer symptoms fail to respond to antibiotic treatment it is a clear indicant of a more serious medical condition. Antibiotics have no impact on inflammation or bleeding caused by oral cancer.

Bleeding may be the first of the mouth cancer symptoms to clearly present for the patient however unfortunately this symptom can be misunderstood or misdiagnosed as gingivitis or gum disease. Often the patient will allow the bleeding to persist and focus on oral healthcare such as more strenuous brushing and flossing in the hopes of addressing gum disease through topical treatment. However when the bleeding in the mouth does not originate from the gums or when the bleeding fails to resolve itself in a reasonable time period, most patients refer to a Dentist for consultation. It is the Dentist who through radiological x-ray examinations determines the presence of a tumor and refers the patient on to a specialist or oncologist.

The only conclusive cause of mouth cancer symptoms is cigarette smoking and working or living in environments with second hand smoke. It has been clinically proven that the inhalation of carcinogens found in cigarette smoke mutate the pre-cancerous cells in the mouth and throat causing oral cancer. With all cancers there is a certain degree of heredity involved where specific genetic patterns indicate a predisposition for the cancer to become "triggered" into mutation. However it is not understood if mouth cancer symptoms when detected can be attributed to other environmental issues such as pollution.

Given the location of mouth cancer symptoms to the lymph nodes in the neck and breasts the rapid spread of oral cancer is well known. Tumors can develop quickly requiring removal and leading to physical disfigurement of the face, jaw and neck. As with all cancers the best case scenario is early detection and prompt treatment.