Cancers of the Oral Cavity

Aetiology

  • Most cancers (90%) of the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinomas
  • Patients are usually 50+ however there is increasing prevalence in younger people

Risk factors

  • Smoking is the main avoidable risk factor - linked to 65% of cases in the UK
  • Alcohol (acetaldehyde)
  • Diet (low in Vit A, C and iron)
  • HPV
  • UV light
  • Candida

Clinical presentation

Symptoms

  • Ulcer
  • Numb feeling e.g. lips, face
  • Unexplained pain in mouth or neck
  • Change in voice
  • Dysphagia

Signs

  • Lesion - red, white or red and white

Investigations

  • Biopsy - TNM staging
  • PET scanning to look for metastasis
  • MRI to look at spread and depth of invasion

Management

  • Resection +/- adjuvant therapy