Oral and Throat Cancer: Signs and Symptoms
Oral and throat cancers are common forms of cancer that develop in the head and neck region.
Over 90 percent of the cases of oral and throat cancer are squamous cell carcinoma. This simply means that they begin in the flat, squamous cells found in the lining of your mouth and throat. They usually originate on the lips, the roof, the sides, or floor of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, or back of the throat.
Who is at risk?
The risk of developing oral and throat cancer is greater in people who smoke and frequently consume large amounts of alcohol.
Other factors that can increase one’s risk include infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), unprotected and prolonged sun exposure, age (older than 45), poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, and marijuana use.
Signs and Symptoms of Oral and Throat Cancer
In some cases, people with oral and throat cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms at all. However, for those who are symptomatic (exhibiting signs and symptoms), they may observe and/or complain any of the following:
• Sore in the mouth or lips that doesn’t seem to heal
• Red or white patch or patches on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
• A feeling of thickening in the cheek
• A lump on the lip, mouth, neck, or throat
• Hoarseness or change in voice
• Numbness of the mouth or tongue
• Pain or bleeding in the mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing or chewing
• Difficulty in moving the jaws or tongue
• Changes in speech
• Ear and/or jaw pain
• Toothache
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
In many cases, it’s the dentist who first notices any of these changes during routine oral care.
Treatment Options at Greater Knoxville ENT
At Greater Knoxville ENT, we have otolaryngologists who offer expert care for all forms of head and neck cancer. Some of the treatment options we offer include:
• Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, different medications are used to kill cancer cells. These medications are given through an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or as a pill or capsule to be taken orally.
• Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. A radiation therapy regimen usually consists of a certain number of treatments given over a specific period of time.
• Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue (known as a margin). Surgeons make sure that there is a complete removal of the tumor with negative margins. This simply means that there’s no mark of cancer on the margin’s healthy tissues.
Treatment options and recommendations will depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patient’s preference and overall health.
If you’re suspecting you have oral or oropharyngeal cancer, don’t hesitate to call us. Like other forms of cancer, there is a better outcome for oral and throat cancer when they are detected and treated earlier.
To request an appointment, please call us at (865) 244-4396.