The Facts About Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the mouth and neck region. On average, oral cancer makes up roughly 3% of new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States. Further, about 53,000 people will be diagnosed every year with a type of oral cancer. Most oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV), and sun exposure. Treatment often involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Oral cancer can be found in two regions: the oral cavity (which is in the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, tongue, and floor and roof of your mouth) and the oropharynx (the middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue). When it comes to types of cancerous cells, they can often take the form of basal cell carcinoma on the skin (basal cell carcinoma in the oral cavity is rare if found on the lips) and squamous cells.
Now that you know some facts, here are the five types of oral cancer to be aware of. And remember, if you experience symptoms, keep calm and talk to your dental professional.