Oral cancer

Oral cancer – why is it dangerous?

Oral cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops from the oral mucosa. This rather rare disease accounts for approximately 1.5-3% of all malignant pathologies, and the numbers vary greatly depending on the region. The disease is diagnosed 5-6 times more often in men. The most likely age of its appearance is 60-70 years.

Without treatment, oral cancer can progress quite quickly, invade nearby tissues, and metastasize to lymph nodes, facial bones and other organs. However, today a diagnosis of cancer is no longer a death sentence. New methods of treating malignant diseases are emerging, scientists are creating new drugs. But in order to take advantage of all the possibilities of modern medicine, it is very important to find a good clinic that treats oral cancer using the most effective techniques.

Causes of oral cancer

The exact reasons causing the appearance of this pathology are currently not fully understood. Among the main factors that can trigger its development are:

• smoking and chewing tobacco;
• frequent drinking of alcohol;
• regular trauma to the oral cavity with dentures, fillings or teeth;
• insufficient oral hygiene;
• eating too hot and spicy food;
• lack of vitamin A in food;
• hereditary tendency.

Types of oral cancer

Doctors distinguish several types of this pathology depending on the location:

• tongue cancer;
• floor of mouth cancer;
• buccal mucosal cancer;
• palate cancer;
• cancer of the mucous membrane of the alveolar processes.

Among all malignant diseases of the oral cavity, squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is the most common. Oral sarcoma is rarely diagnosed.

If we talk about histological classification, there are 4 types:

• Intraepithelial carcinoma. Abnormal changes in the cells have already occurred, but the basement membrane still retains its integrity.
• Verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity (keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma). The most common type of cancer, occurring in 95%. Its peculiarity is the presence of keratinized growths in the affected area.
• Non-keratinizing squamous cell cancer. It has a high degree of aggressiveness.
• Poorly differentiated cancer. The most aggressive variety, the cells of which resemble sarcoma cells.

Based on the visual characteristics of tumors in the oral cavity, the following types of cancer are distinguished:

• ulcerous form;
• nodular form;
• papillary form.

What does the early stage of oral cancer look like?

At the initial stage, the manifestations of the disease are quite painless. A person may notice red or white spots on the mucous membrane, ulcers, cracks, nodules. The modified areas may be painless and not manifest themselves in any way, or they may bleed.

Such manifestations rarely force a person to see a doctor, since many people consider the first signs of oral cancer to be something frivolous and not worthy of attention. And this is a problem, because in the later stages it is much more difficult to treat the disease. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to any abnormal formations in the oral cavity, promptly seek help from a doctor and undergo an examination that will accurately diagnose the problem.

Symptoms and signs of oral cancer

The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:

• ulcers in the mouth, especially if they do not heal for 2-3 weeks or appear several times in a row in the same place;
• white or red spots on the mucous membrane that do not go away for 2-3 weeks;
• the appearance of tubercles or nodules that are felt by the tongue;
• numbness in various areas of the oral cavity;
• pain, barely noticeable at first, but over time severe, radiating to the forehead or ear;
• rough, crusty spots;
• voice changes;
• feeling of a lump when swallowing.

In later stages of oral cancer, symptoms may include swelling of the face and neck and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. The contours of the face may change, it becomes difficult to swallow, teeth may shift and fall out, and speech may be impaired.

Stages of oral cancer

There are 4 stages of the disease:

• 1st stage – small neoplasm up to 2 cm.
• 2nd stage – the tumor is 2-4 centimeters, but the lymph nodes are not yet affected.
• 3rd stage – lymph nodes (1 or more) may be involved in the malignant process.
• 4th stage – many lymph nodes may be affected and distant metastases may occur.

To designate the stages of oral tumors, as a rule, oncologists use the TNM system, where each letter corresponds to a certain characteristic of the disease.

T is the primary tumor, N is lymph nodes, M is metastases in tissues and organs. Next to each letter is a number that provides additional information. For example, T1N0M0 – the first stage – a tumor up to 2 centimeters without metastases and damage to the lymph nodes. T3N1M0 – the third stage with one lymph node affected, but without metastases.

Where does oral cancer metastasize?

Most often, the spread of tumor cells throughout the body in this disease occurs through the lymphatic system, so the lymph nodes are primarily affected: submandibular, deep cervical lymph nodes and others located near the tumor.

At the most recent stages, metastases can also affect other organs and are found in the bones, lungs, liver, and brain.

Diagnosis of oral cancer

Examination for suspected oral cancer includes:

• Medical examination. Allows you to detect visual signs of cancer.
• Cytological examination of tumor scraping. Makes it possible to give a preliminary assessment of the type of tumor.
• Biopsy of neoplasm tissue followed by histology. Accurately determines the type of tumor.
• Computed tomography. Helps to see the size of the tumor, its shape and borders.

X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI may also be prescribed to identify metastases. A complete diagnosis, which gives a complete picture of the condition, allows you to select the optimal treatment that will be the most effective.

Treatment of oral cancer

If oral cancer is diagnosed, doctors individualize treatment based on the patient’s health condition, and typically involve multiple therapies. Most often, surgery is performed to eliminate the tumor, and radiation or chemotherapy is additionally prescribed. But recently, other effective methods have appeared that can also be used in complex treatment, increase its effectiveness and reduce the risk of relapses – these are immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Tumor removal

Removal of the tumor is the priority treatment method for this pathology. Surgery usually involves removal of the primary tumor and nearby lymph nodes.

In some cases, it may be necessary to remove a large amount of soft tissue and partly the jaw bones, which can lead to impaired speech, swallowing, and noticeable aesthetic defects. In such cases, reconstructive surgery may be required.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy may be used after surgery to destroy any single malignant cells that may remain after tumor excision. In addition, radiation therapy can be used as an alternative treatment method in cases where, for some reason, surgery cannot be used.

Chemotherapy

Specific anticancer drugs may be prescribed before surgery or before radiation therapy. They act on tumor cells, blocking their proliferation and destroying them. In addition to standard chemotherapy with traditional intravenous administration, selective intra-arterial chemotherapy can be used. In this case, the drug is injected into the artery in the area where the malignant tumor is located.

Chemoradiation therapy may also be used. This is a combined treatment method that involves the simultaneous administration of a chemotherapy drug and irradiation of the area where the tumor is localized.

Cancer immunotherapy

In malignant neoplasms, the cancer cells camouflage themselves from the patient’s immune system, allowing the tumor to grow unhindered. Immunotherapy is aimed at “involving” the immune system in the process of fighting cancer, “teaching” it to recognize malignant cells and destroy them. One of the promising areas of immunotherapy is the creation of anticancer vaccines. Scientists and doctors from different countries are developing similar vaccines, and today some of them can already be used for treatment.

• Autovaccine. To produce it, the patient’s tumor cells are needed. They undergo specific modification, after which the resulting drug can be introduced into the body. It will activate immune cells to fight malignant cells. The use of such a vaccine combines well with other methods, does not produce side effects and improves prognosis. Or it can be used after the end of therapy as a preventive measure for the recurrence of tumors.
• Xenovaccine. It does not require tumor tissue to produce it. To make this vaccine, scientists use animal proteins that are similar to tumor proteins. It also primes the immune system against cancer cells and can be used to prevent relapses.

To learn more about the possibilities of treating oral cancer with the most effective methods, get a free consultation with a MedTour coordinating doctor.

Oral cancer – prognosis. How long can you live with oral cancer?

On average, about 75% of patients with oral tumors live more than five years after diagnosis of this disease if the lymph nodes were not involved in the process. However, predictions for this disease must be made individually, since much depends on the type of oral cancer, the stage of the disease, location, and general health of the patient.

A very important component that influences the prognosis is the level of medical care that will be provided. If you contact the best clinics for the treatment of oral cancer, you will be able to use the most modern and effective methods of combating the disease, which will significantly improve your prospects.

Prevention of oral cancer

To prevent the disease, doctors recommend:

• eliminate smoking;
• limit the amount of alcoholic drinks;
• pay attention to nutrition, make your diet balanced with enough fiber and complex carbohydrates.

An important part of preventing pathology is regular self-examination of the oral cavity, and contacting a doctor at the first signs of disease.

In addition, for the prevention of cancer, it is possible to use a preventive anticancer xenovaccine. For those who have already been diagnosed with this pathology and who have undergone treatment, including removal of the tumor, if a sample of the tumor is available, an autovaccine can be made and used. Its use will significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence of malignant neoplasms.

The MedTour platform cooperates with medical centers that use anti-cancer vaccines for the treatment and prevention of malignant diseases. To learn more about vaccination options, contact us.

The best clinics for the treatment of oral cancer

The MedTour website presents leading cancer centers around the world. Such clinics employ experienced doctors specializing in cancer treatment, install the latest equipment, use the most promising methods of therapy, and conduct research on new drugs and techniques. By visiting such centers, you will gain access to the latest achievements of modern medicine and will be able to use them to restore your health.

The MedTour coordinator will advise you on possible options and help you choose the best clinic, taking into account the characteristics of your diagnosis and your needs.

The best doctors are specialists in the treatment of oral oncology

By contacting MedTour, you get the opportunity to contact leading specialists in the treatment of oral cancer working in Ukraine, Turkey, Israel, Germany, South Korea and other countries. We collaborate with the best doctors and will help you find the doctor who will be the best option to solve your medical problem. Contact your MedTour coordinating doctor to find out about leading oncologists working with oral tumors.

Published: 31.08.2023

Updated: 08.10.2023

Medical author, Medical editor:

Natalia Segen

Medical author, Medical editor:

Olena Kursabaieva