Healthgrades for ProfessionalsWhat Oral (Mouth) Cancer Looks Like

How are shifting societal habits influencing the prevalence and types of oral cancers you encounter in your practice?

Recognizing early signs of oral cancer can be a vital part of successful treatment. This piece serves as an informative guide for dentists, shedding light on various forms of oral cancers and their characteristics.

Key Points:

• Oral cancer lesions can be painless and sometimes go unnoticed without a dental examination.
• Lip cancer is often linked to excessive sun exposure and tobacco use. Any lasting spot should be checked by a dentist.
• White patches or leukoplakia inside the mouth may be benign, but approximately 25% may be cancerous or precancerous.
• Erythroplakia, or red spots in the mouth, are less common than leukoplakia but more often cancerous.
• Oral lichen planus, a chronic inflammation resulting from an autoimmune disorder, may sometimes become cancerous.
• Salivary gland tumors, while not always cancerous, require examination to determine proper treatment.
• Signs of roof of mouth cancer include ulcers that may bleed, changes in speech, swallowing difficulties, and a lump in the neck.
• Oral tongue cancer is more common in males over 40, with smokers five times more likely to develop this type of cancer.
• Gum gancer can often be mistaken for gingivitis. Symptoms include changes in gum color, cracking, and thickening.

Additional Points:

• Regular dental check-ups are vital for early detection of oral cancers.
• Habits like tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of developing several types of oral cancers.

Conclusion:

• Dentists play a critical role in the early detection of oral cancers, necessitating awareness of varying symptoms and the impacts of risk factors like tobacco and alcohol consumption.

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Did You Know?
According to the American Cancer Society, about 54,010 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer.