By Andy Weber, By Andy Weber, Alex Francisco, Alex Francisco,

and Scott and Scott O’MalleyO’Malley

What is it?What is it?

Oral cancer is cancer that occurs Oral cancer is cancer that occurs through the mouth. It affects gums, through the mouth. It affects gums, teeth, the tongue, and the throat teeth, the tongue, and the throat but it can be easily prevented.but it can be easily prevented.

CAUSESCAUSES

SmokingSmoking Tobacco useTobacco use Increased alcohol useIncreased alcohol use Poor oral hygienePoor oral hygiene Too much exposure to sunlight on the lipsToo much exposure to sunlight on the lips Poor dietPoor diet Regular use of betel nutsRegular use of betel nuts HPVHPV Radiation treatment.Radiation treatment.

This cancer is not inherited. It his caused by This cancer is not inherited. It his caused by environmental factors.environmental factors.

EffectsEffects

Patches/Discoloration in the Patches/Discoloration in the MouthMouth

Jaw Pain/StiffnessJaw Pain/Stiffness Loose TeethLoose Teeth Pain in the tonguePain in the tongue Mouth SoresMouth Sores Lump/Swelling in the mouthLump/Swelling in the mouth Hoarse VoiceHoarse Voice Dentures don’t fitDentures don’t fit

Stages-Stages- II- Tumor is less than one inch but has not reached nearby lymph - Tumor is less than one inch but has not reached nearby lymph

nodes yet. Some swelling and pain. Can be cured if found in early nodes yet. Some swelling and pain. Can be cured if found in early stages.stages.

IIII- Tumor is over 1 inch but less that 2 inches and has not reached - Tumor is over 1 inch but less that 2 inches and has not reached nearby lymph nodes. More swelling as well as pain in gums, teeth, nearby lymph nodes. More swelling as well as pain in gums, teeth, tongue and throat. It’s still treatable at this point.tongue and throat. It’s still treatable at this point.

IIIIII- Tumor is over 2 inches and has spread to lymph nodes. Cancer - Tumor is over 2 inches and has spread to lymph nodes. Cancer in a lymph node is no bigger that 3 cm. Major swelling and pain in in a lymph node is no bigger that 3 cm. Major swelling and pain in the mouth including gums, teeth, throat, and tongue. Very hard to the mouth including gums, teeth, throat, and tongue. Very hard to treat at this point.treat at this point.

IVIV- Reached around oral cavity and lip. Nearby lymph node may or - Reached around oral cavity and lip. Nearby lymph node may or may not contain cancer. Cancer has spread to 2 or more lymph may not contain cancer. Cancer has spread to 2 or more lymph nodes on same of neck as tumor. Life expectancy has dropped nodes on same of neck as tumor. Life expectancy has dropped drastically in late stages and also involves extreme pain and almost drastically in late stages and also involves extreme pain and almost impossible to treat.impossible to treat.

How is it Detected?How is it Detected?

Biopsy: Small Sample of tissueBiopsy: Small Sample of tissue Endoscopy: light down patient’s throatEndoscopy: light down patient’s throat X-RaysX-Rays CT ScansCT Scans MRIMRI PET ScansPET Scans

TreatmentsTreatments

Removal of tumorRemoval of tumor Removal of cancer spread to the neckRemoval of cancer spread to the neck Mouth reconstructionMouth reconstruction RadiotherapyRadiotherapy ChemotherapyChemotherapy Internal RadiotherapyInternal Radiotherapy

Possible CuresPossible Cures

Can be cured easily if cancer has not reached Can be cured easily if cancer has not reached lymph nodes yet.lymph nodes yet.

Removal of tumor (in early stages).Removal of tumor (in early stages). Removal of cancer spread in neck (early stages).Removal of cancer spread in neck (early stages).

PreventionPrevention Avoid drinking alcohol consistently or at all.Avoid drinking alcohol consistently or at all. No smoking or avoid being around smokeNo smoking or avoid being around smoke Less sun exposure/ sunscreen on lips/mouth areaLess sun exposure/ sunscreen on lips/mouth area Do not eat betel nutsDo not eat betel nuts Avoid exposure to asbestos, sulfuric acid, and formaldehyde Avoid exposure to asbestos, sulfuric acid, and formaldehyde Maintain oral hygiene (brush teeth, floss, mouth wash, etc.)Maintain oral hygiene (brush teeth, floss, mouth wash, etc.) Maintain a healthy dietMaintain a healthy diet Avoid chewing tobacco of all kindsAvoid chewing tobacco of all kinds

Additional InfoAdditional Info

About 34,000 people in the U.S. are About 34,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer every year.diagnosed with oral cancer every year.

Roughly 1 person every hour dies from Roughly 1 person every hour dies from oral cancer.oral cancer.

40,000 people will be diagnosed this 40,000 people will be diagnosed this year, and approximately 57% will be year, and approximately 57% will be alive in 5 years killing over 8,000 people.alive in 5 years killing over 8,000 people.

Support GroupsSupport Groups

Oral Cancer FoundationOral Cancer Foundation SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral, SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral,

Head, Neck Cancer)Head, Neck Cancer) MCSP (Mouth Cancer Support GroupMCSP (Mouth Cancer Support Group

SOURCES:SOURCES:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/facts/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/oral-cancerguide/oral-cancer

http://www.medicinenet.com/http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htmoral_cancer/article.htm