What Is Mouth Cancer?
Mouth cancer or oral cancer is any kind of cancerous tissue growth in the oral cavity, and are the most common types of head and neck cancers. The most usual type of mouth cancer is squamous cell carcinomas which develop in the cells of the tissue lining the lips and mouth.
Around 3,700 people are diagnosed with a form of mouth cancer in the UK each year. This number is divided into 1,900 diagnoses of tongue cancer and 1,800 with cancer affecting other parts of the mouth. Lip cancer is relatively rare, with around 340 people diagnosed with it each year. Mouth cancer is more common in men than in women, and generally affects people over the age of 45.
The main causes of mouth cancer are smoking and drinking heavily, with the risk increased by both together too. Other causes include: chewing tobacco, poor diet, poor dental hygiene, and a weakened immune system.
There are signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. The two most common ones are a perpetual mouth ulcer and continual mouth pain. Other symptoms are: a red or white patch in the mouth or throat, bad breath (halitosis), rapid weight loss, unexplained loose teeth, difficulty and pain with eating, swallowing and talking, and an unexplained lump in the mouth, throat or neck. These symptoms are not necessarily indicative of cancer, but it is best to have them investigated at the earliest opportunity.
Private mouth cancer treatments are available at the LOC, where specialists will help to formulate and implement the best course of treatment according to each individual case.