How is Oral Cancer Treated?

1. How is Oral Cancer Treated? Malignant growth of cells in the body is cancer and if this growth happens to be in the mouth, upper throat or on the lining of the lips then it is oral/ mouth cancer. What is oral cancer? Oral cancer develops in the squamous cells in the tongue, mouth or lips. This kind of cancer belongs to the category of neck and head cancers and the tissues of the mouth or throat are the initial targets of oral cancer. What are the symptoms of developing oral cancer? Unwanted growth of mass in the mouth Wound or sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal Bleeding from the mouth Difficulty in swallowing Pain in the tongue, ears, jaws

2. Lump in the neck Numbness in the face, neck, chin or lower lip Significant weight loss White or red patches on your lips or in the mouth Why does one develop oral cancer? Weak immune system Family history of oral cancer or any other kind of cancer Chronic exposure of the face to the sun Human Papillomavirus infection Genetic syndromes Poor nutrition Males are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer How is oral cancer treated? Treatment of oral cancer depends on its stage, location and type. Oral cancer is treated through: Surgery: Removing the cancerous tissues and adjoining tissues during the early stage can help in dealing with the problem. Radiation therapy: Advanced stage cancer involves a combination of radiation and chemotherapy in which radiation beams are aimed at the specific area. Chemotherapy: Killing the cancer cells by taking drugs is the basis of this kind of treatment. Targeted therapy: Binding targeted drugs to specific proteins on the cancer cells to stop their growth is the underlying basis of this treatment. For more information, logon to www.woolwichdental.com.