Did you know that your dentist conducts an oral cancer screening as a standard part of your routine checkups? Although cancers of the mouth only comprise about 3% of all cancer cases in the United States, it’s incredibly dangerous. An estimated 54,000+ people are diagnosed nationwide each year, and of those, about 68% will survive the next five years.
Your chances of recovery increase significantly if the disease is caught quickly. Continue reading to learn more about the signs and stages of oral cancer so you know when to call the dentist!
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer occurs when cells in the head or neck mutate and affect your throat, cheeks, lips, tongue, or gums. It often presents as a malignant tumor that destroys nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body, like the lymph nodes in the neck. Typically, it starts in the lips and tongue, or on the roof or floor of your mouth. It can also impact your tonsils and the sides or back of your throat.
What Are Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
There are many symptoms that could potentially point to oral cancer, but many problems could also be due to other conditions. For example, jaw pain and stiffness can be caused by a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder rather than cancer.
Some potential signs of oral cancer can include:
- A sore on your lip or mouth that won’t heal.
- Bleeding gums.
- Loose permanent teeth.
- A mass or growth anywhere in your mouth.
- A lump in your neck.
- Pain or difficulty swallowing.
- Lower lip, face, neck, or chin numbness.
- White or red patches on your lips or tongue.
- A persistent earache.
- Dramatic or unexpected weight loss.
What are the Stages of Oral Cancer?
The earliest indicators of cancer can be easy to miss because you might mistake them for something less risky, like a simple cavity. Learning more about the different stages can help you pintpoint whether you have a serious issue.
The stages of oral cancer are:
Stage 0
This earliest stage, also referred to as carcinoma in situ (CIS), is the very start of the process in which the cells in the lining of your lips and oral cavity begin to mutate and have the potential to become cancer. They have not yet invaded the underlying layers of tissue.
Stage I
Most patients at this stage are considered highly treatable because, although a tumor has developed, it’s less than 2 centimeters and hasn’t reached the lymph nodes.
Stage II
A majority of people with stage 2 oral cancer respond well to surgery and/or radiation therapy and have a good prognosis. The tumor is between 2 to 4 centimeters, but the lymph nodes are not impacted.
Stage III
The cancer is either larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, and the 5-year survival rate is only about 50%.
Stage IV
Patients at this stage have advanced mouth cancer that can be any size but has spread to nearby tissues, like the rest of the oral cavity, jaw, neck, lymph nodes, or lungs. It’s very difficult to address once it has progressed to this level.
Thankfully, seeing your dentist every six months for a routine visit allows them to monitor your condition and catch any areas of concern, like flat squamous cells during a standard screening.
About the Practice
At the Advanced Dental Treatment Center, you benefit from a team of dentists with 20+ years of combined experience helping people build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. They share a commitment to preventative care to help avoid progressive dental issues that result in complex or costly treatments to repair, like oral cancer. They combine a caring and compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to identify and address problems before they worsen. If you need a checkup, you can request an appointment on the website or call (414) 209-7465.