| Oral Cavity / Oropharynx Cancer |
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Oral cavity is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the
tissues of the lip or mouth. The oral cavity includes the front two thirds of the tongue,
the upper and lower gums (the gingiva), the lining of the inside of the cheeks and lips
(the buccal mucosa), the bottom (floor) of the mouth under the tongue, the bony top of the
mouth (the hard palate), and the small area behind the wisdom teeth (the retromolar
trigone). |
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Cancers of the head and neck are most often found in people who are over the age
of 45. Cancer of the lip is more common in men than in women, and is more likely to
develop in people with light-colored skin who have been in the sun a lot.Cancer of the
oral cavity is more common in people who chew tobacco or smoke pipes. A doctor should be
seen if a person finds a lump in the lip, mouth, or gums, finds a sore in the mouth that
doesn't heal, or has bleeding or pain in the mouth. Another sign of a cancer of the mouth
or gums is when dentures no longer fit well. Often lip and oral cavity cancers are found
by dentists when examining the teeth. If there are symptoms, a doctor will examine the
mouth using a mirror and lights. The doctor may order x-rays of the mouth. If tissue that
is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and look at it under
the microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. The patient
will be given a substance to take feeling away from the area for a short time (a local
anesthetic) so no pain is felt. The doctor will also feel the throat for lumps. The chance
of recovery (prognosis) depends on where the cancer is in the lip or mouth, whether the
cancer is just in the lip or mouth or has spread to other tissues (the stage), and the
patient's general state of health. Cancer of the oropharynx is a disease in which cancer
cells are found in the tissues of the oropharynx. The oropharynx is the middle part of the
throat (also called the pharynx). The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that
starts behind the nose and goes down to the neck to become part of the esophagus (tube
that goes to the stomach).
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Air and food pass through the pharynx on the way to the
windpipe (trachea) or the esophagus. The oropharynx includes the soft palate (the back of
the mouth), the base of the tongue, and the tonsils.Cancer of the oropharynx most commonly
starts in the cells that line the oropharynx. A doctor should be seen if a person has a
sore throat that does not go away, trouble swallowing, a lump in the back of the mouth or
throat, a change in the voice, or pain in the ear. |
If there are symptoms, a doctor will examine the throat using a mirror and lights. The
doctor will also feel the throat for lumps. If tissue that is not normal is found, the
doctor will need to cut out a small piece and look at it under the microscope to see if
there are any cancer cells. This is called a
biopsy.
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