Oral cancer

Alternative names:

cancer of the mouth; mouth cancer

Definition:

A disorder involving abnormal, malignant tissue growth in the mouth.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Oral or mouth cancer most commonly involves the tissue of the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, or in the salivary glands, cheek lining, gingiva (gums), or palate (roof of the mouth). Most oral cancers are squamous cell ("scale-like" cell type) carcinomas, which are malignant and tend to spread rapidly.

The exact cause is unknown. Smoking and other tobacco use are associated with most cases of oral cancer. Smoke and heat from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. Use of chewing tobacco or snuff causes irritation from direct contact with the mucous membranes. Heavy alcohol use is another high-risk activity associated with oral cancer. Other risks include poor dental and oral hygiene and chronic irritation (for example from rough teeth, dentures, fillings, and so on). Many oral cancers begin as leukoplakia or mouth ulcers. Oral cancer accounts for about 8% of all malignant growths. Men are affected twice as often as women, particularly men over 40 years old.