Lip and oral cavity cancer is a malignant disease (cancer) cells form in the lip or
mouth.
The oral cavity includes:
The oral cavity includes:
• Two-thirds of the tongue forward.
• The gingiva (gums).
• The buccal mucosa (inner layer of the cheek).
• The floor (bottom) of the mouth under the tongue.
• The hard palate (roof of mouth).
• The retromolar trigone (the small area behind the wisdom teeth).
Most of the lip and oral cavity cancer start in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells that line the lips and oral cavity. These are called squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer cells may spread into deeper tissue as the cancer grows. Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops in areas of leukoplakia (white patches of cells that are not infectious).
Lip and oral cavity cancer is a type of head and neck cancer
Tobacco and alcohol can affect the risk of developing lip and oral cavity cancer.
Anything that increases the risk of a disease called risk factors. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors does not mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for lip and oral cavity cancer include:
Anything that increases the risk of a disease called risk factors. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors does not mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for lip and oral cavity cancer include:
• Use of tobacco products.
• Heavy alcohol use.
• Exposure to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time.
• Being male.
• Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Heavy alcohol use.
• Exposure to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time.
• Being male.
• Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Possible signs of lip and oral cavity cancer include sores or lumps in the lips or inside the mouth.
These and other symptoms may be caused by lip and oral cavity cancer. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
• A sore on the lips or in the mouth that does not heal.
• A lump or thickening on the lips or gums or in the mouth.
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth.
• Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lips or mouth.
• Changes in voice.
• Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit.
• Trouble chewing or swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw.
• Swelling of the jaw.
• Sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat.
Lip and oral cavity cancer may have no symptoms and are sometimes found during a regular dental exam.
Tests that examine the mouth and throat are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage lip and oral cavity cancer.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
• Physical exam of the lips and oral cavity: An exam to check the lips and oral
cavity for abnormal areas. Doctor or dentist will feel the entire inside of the
mouth with a gloved finger and examine the oral cavity with a small
long-handled mirror and lights. This includes checking the inside of the cheeks
and lips, gums, roof and floor of the mouth, and the bottom, top, and sides of
the tongue. Will feel swollen neck lymph nodes. History of the patient's health
habits and past illnesses and medical and dental care will also be taken.
• Endoscopy: A procedure to look at organs and tissues in the body to check for abnormal areas. An endoscope is inserted through an incision (cut) in the skin or opening in the body, such as the mouth. Endoscopy is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples, were examined under a microscope for signs of disease.
• X-rays of the head, neck, and chest: An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can pass through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the body.
• Biopsy: removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist. If leukoplakia is found, cells taken from the patch were also examined under a microscope for signs cancer.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves and computers to create a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The images created by computers connected to the x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
• exfoliative cytology: A procedure to collect cells from the lip or oral cavity. A piece of cotton, a brush, or small wooden stick is used to gently scrape cells from the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat. The cells are viewed under a microscope to see if they are not normal.
• Barium swallow: A series of x-ray of the esophagus and stomach. The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The liquid coats the esophagus and x-rays taken. This procedure is also referred to as upper GI series.
• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radionuclide glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. PET scanner rotates around the body and create a picture of where glucose is used in the body. Malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the picture because they are more active and take more glucose than normal cells.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:
• The stage of cancer.
• Where the tumor is in the lips or oral cavity.
• Whether the cancer has spread to the blood vessels.
For patients who smoke, the chances of recovery are better if they stop smoking before beginning radiation therapy.
Treatment options depend on the following:
• Stage of cancer.
• The size of tumor and where it is in the lips or oral cavity.
• Is the patient's appearance and ability to talk and eat can stay the same.
• The patient's age and general health.
Patients who had lip and oral cavity cancer have an increased risk of developing a second cancer in the head or neck. Frequent and careful follow-up is important. Clinical trials are studying the use of retinoid drugs to reduce the risk of second head and neck cancer. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.
