Oral cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the mouth or throat. It can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth. Oral cancer is also called oropharyngeal cancer.

Signs of oral cancer

Oral cancer is a serious disease that can be hard to detect in its early stages. That’s why it’s important to see a dentist or doctor regularly so they can check for signs of oral cancer. Warning signs of oral cancer include sores or growths in the mouth that bleed easily, numbness or pain in the mouth or throat, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. Oral cancer can be treated successfully if it is caught early.

Treatment for oral cancer

Oral cancer treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapy. Palliative care is also available for people with oral cancer.

Chemotherapy for Oral Cancer

There are a few different types of chemotherapy that can be used to treat oral cancer. The most common type is called cisplatin. It is a drug that is injected into the vein and helps to kill cancer cells. Other chemotherapy drugs include 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, and doxorubicin. These drugs may be given alone or in combination with each other.

The goal of chemotherapy is to shrink the tumor or stop it from growing. It may also help to prolong a person’s life. However, chemotherapy can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of chemotherapy with you before starting treatment.

Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy, cancer cells are destroyed using high-energy beams, such as X-rays. It is a common treatment for oral cancer. Radiation therapy can be given externally, which means the radiation comes from a machine outside of the body. Or it can be given internally, which means the radiation comes from implants placed inside the body near the tumor.

The goal of radiation therapy is to shrink the tumor or stop it from growing. It may also help to relieve symptoms such as pain or trouble swallowing. But like chemotherapy, radiation therapy can cause side effects such as fatigue, skin changes, and trouble swallowing. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of radiation therapy with you before starting treatment.

Surgery for Oral Cancer

The most common type of surgery for oral cancer is called a wide local excision. This procedure removes the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue around it. In some cases, the lymph nodes in the neck may also be removed. Surgery may also be used to remove part of the jawbone if the tumor is large.

The goal of surgery is to remove cancer and prevent it from coming back. It may also help to relieve symptoms such as pain or trouble swallowing. But surgery can also cause side effects such as pain, infection, and Scarring. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with you before starting treatment.

Targeted Therapy

A targeted therapy is a form of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to target specific cancer cells. It is often used to treat tumors that have spread to other parts of the body. For oral cancer, targeted therapy may be used if the tumor has a certain genetic mutation.

The goal of targeted therapy is to shrink the tumor or stop it from growing. It may also help to prolong a person’s life. But like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, targeted therapy can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of targeted therapy with you before starting treatment.

Palliative Care for Oral Cancer

Palliative care is specialized care for people with serious illnesses. It is focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life. Palliative care can be used along with other treatments for oral cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

The goal of palliative care is to improve a person’s quality of life. This may mean reducing pain and symptoms, improving communication and coordination of care, and helping people to cope with stress and emotional issues. Palliative care is available at hospitals, hospices, and clinics. Your doctor can refer you to a palliative care team if you need it.

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapy are the most common treatments for oral cancer. But each person is different, so your treatment plan may be different from someone else’s. Your doctor will create a treatment plan that is right for you based on the type and stage of your cancer, your symptoms, and your overall health.

If you have oral cancer, it is important to follow your treatment plan. But it is also important to take care of yourself. Eating a healthy diet, staying active, and getting enough rest can help you feel better and have more energy.

No one can predict the future, but treatment can help people with oral cancer live longer and feel better. With advances in treatment, more people are surviving oral cancer than ever before. If you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you .