Every year, more than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer. There are six kinds of oral cancer, including cancer of the tongue, the inner lining of the cheek, the lips, the gums, the floor of the mouth, and the hard and soft palate. During your biannual dental checkups, your dentist performs an oral cancer screening so they can keep an eye out for early signs of this condition, but what do the different stages look like? Read on to learn about the stages of oral cancer as well as tips for treating and preventing this condition.
Stage 0 Oral Cancer
Also called carcinoma in situ. This is when a group of abnormal cells remains in the same place as where they first formed. They have yet to spread to other parts of the mouth and may become cancerous.
Stage 1 Oral Cancer
This early stage of cancer is when a tumor no more than two centimeters in size forms. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes yet.
Stage 2 Oral Cancer
The tumor is now between two and four centimeters in size. Cancer cells have yet to spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage 3 Oral Cancer
At this stage, the tumor is larger than 4 centimeters, and the cancer still has not spread to the lymph nodes. The tumor may also be any size and has spread to one lymph node in the neck.
Stage 4 Oral Cancer
The tumor can be any size and cancer cells have begun spreading to the jaw, other areas of the oral cavity, or other parts of the body. This stage can present in several ways, including:
- One lymph node larger than three centimeters on the same side of the neck as the tumor
- Multiple lymph nodes of any size on the same side of the neck as the tumor
- One lymph node of any size on the side opposite of the neck as the tumor
Oral Cancer Prevention
There are no proven means of prevention for oral cancer, but ways to reduce your risk include:
- Cut out bad habits – Smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption raise your risk, so cut out these habits.
- Limit sun exposure – Lessen the amount of time that your lips are exposed to the sun as this can raise your risk of oral cancer.
- Visiting your dentist – Biannual dental visits will let them look for signs of oral cancer so they can treat them early on.
- Nutrition – Speak with a doctor, dentist, or nutritionist to make sure you get the vitamins, minerals, and calories your body needs to heal.
Oral Cancer Treatment
If you develop oral cancer, some methods that may be used to treat it include:
- Surgery – In its early stages, oral cancer treatment usually involves surgery to remove tumors and cancerous lymph nodes.
- Chemotherapy – This treatment involves the administration of drugs to kill cancer cells orally or through an IV.
- Targeted therapy – This treatment uses drugs that bind to specific proteins on cancer cells to inhibit their growth.
- Radiation therapy – A doctor aims radiation beams at tumors once or twice daily five days per week for two to eight weeks.
Now that know more about the stages of oral cancer, you’ll have a better chance of keeping this issue at bay. By visiting your dentist every six months, they can perform an oral cancer screening to help you maintain a healthy mouth and smile!
About the Practice
Oral health issues stand no chance against Dr. James K. Kramer and his kind, compassionate team of Selbyville oral health professionals. They are passionate about helping patients maintain healthy smiles and will give you an oral cancer screening at each checkup to make sure that your mouth is in good condition. If you’re ready to make an appointment or want more information on their services, call their office at (302) 436-5133 or visit their website.