What Are the Different Types of Oral Cancer? A Guide

Mouth cancer seems like something out of a horror movie – one of the many types of cancers that seem scary. It’s easy to brush it off as something that won’t happen to you, but you indeed need to be aware of warning signs.

There are different types of oral cancer, and getting treated can get rid of it in the early stages. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the mouth, lips, or throat. Here’s a list of the different types of oral cancer, and how to prevent and treat them.

Types of Oral Cancer

Cancer can occur in any part of the body, including the mouth. Here are several types of oral cancer:

Lip Cancer

One form of cancer that affects the lips is lip cancer. It is usually brought on by various factors, including drinking alcohol, smoking, and exposure to the sun.

The most common symptom of lip cancer is a lump or swelling on the lip, which can also be painful. Other symptoms include a sore that does not heal within two weeks, a white or red patch on the inside of the mouth, blisters on or around the mouth, and tingling in your teeth or gums.

The type of treatment for lip cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor. The treatments for lip cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Jaw Cancer

Jaw cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts in the bone or soft tissue of the jaw. It is also called osteosarcoma or osteogenic sarcoma. It is a very serious type of cancer because it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones.

This means that this type of cancer treatment should be done as soon as possible. Treatment options for jaw cancer also include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Palate Cancer 

Hard Palate Cancer is an oral cancer type that develops from uncontrolled cell growth of the bone cells that make up the roof of the mouth sores or tumors. The nasal cavity and the mouth are separated by the hard palate.

Palate cancer can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Treatment for palate cancer depends on the stage of cancer.

Cheek Cancer

Buccal Mucosa Cancer, also known as inner cheeks cancer, is rare cancer that appears in your mouth’s inner cheek.

Gum Cancer

Gum Cancer starts when uncontrolled cell growth leads to lesions or tumors in the upper or lower gums. It is sometimes confused with gingivitis.

Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer is a type of oral cancer that starts in the tongue. It can be challenging to diagnose because it often has no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body.

Oral Cancer Prevention Tips You Should Know

There are many myths about oral cancer prevention that people should know about. Some oral cancer prevention tips include avoiding tobacco products, avoiding alcohol and drugs, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular dental checkups and cleanings.

One of the most common myths about oral cancer prevention is that people can prevent oral cancer by eating a balanced and varied diet. There is no evidence to support this claim. Another myth about preventing oral cancer is that people can prevent it by drinking Listerine and mouthwash. There are no studies showing any benefit to these products for the prevention of oral cancer.

When you seem to notice symptoms of oral cancer, don’t be afraid to check with your dentist and learn all about Oral Cancer Screening.

Oral Cancer Treatment Options and Recovery Procedures

Oral cancer is the most common type of cancer in the mouth. It can be difficult to detect because it does not cause symptoms until the tumor has grown large and damaged nearby tissues.

It is a common misconception that oral cancer is always deadly and cannot be cured. This assumption causes many people to delay seeking medical attention, which can make cancer worse, but it can be cured if caught early.

Treatment options for oral cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Recovery procedures are different for each type of oral cancer. For example, those with squamous cell carcinoma can expect to recover in about 3-6 months, while those with small cell carcinoma might take up to 2 years to recover.

Different Types of Chemotherapy Drugs That Treat Oral Cancer

Chemotherapy drugs are a type of cancer treatment that can be used to treat oral cancer. They are typically administered through an intravenous injection. Chemotherapy drugs work by killing or slowing the growth of cancer cells and are often used in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy.

Different types of chemotherapy can be used to treat oral cancer, such as Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Fluorouracil (5FU), Methotrexate (MTX), and Paclitaxel (Taxol).

Oral Health Care Tips

Here are some tips for oral health care from the American Dental Association.

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day to remove food particles from between your teeth and under your gum line, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing your teeth and before going to bed at night, and drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.

It’s not necessary to use a full-mouth swab, but if you have time, use one. Talk with your dentist about the best type of oral health care appropriate for you.

Making Your Oral Health a Priority

To prevent various types of oral cancer, you should avoid smoking and chewing tobacco. These are the two most common causes of oral cancer; if you don’t do either, your risk is greatly reduced. It is important to get regular dental checkups because these checkups can catch any problems before they become life-threatening.

Don’t wait until oral cancer shows before taking action; you can stop it from happening. Start taking care of your oral health immediately.

If you would like more health advice, be sure to check out our website daily for more!