Tumours/Oral Cancer Surgery with Reconstruction
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth. It can form in the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, and lips. The main causes of oral cancer are usage tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Other causes of oral cancer may include the following:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Excessive sun exposure can cause cancer on the lip
- Low intake of fruits and vegetables
Symptoms include a non-healing wound, which may or may not be painful, on the tongue, in the floor of the mouth or along the inner cheek. The sore may grow larger and additional symptoms may include new or increased pain, change in speech or a lump in the neck, ear pain painful swallowing. If you have a sore in your mouth that does not heal within three weeks, you should see a oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while others develop disease and have no known risk factors.
But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.
Following treatment of cancers in the oral cavity with surgery, several important functions of the oral cavity may be severely affected. These include lubrication of the mouth and throat, swallowing without choking on foods or liquids, speech and movement in areas where surgery has been done. Rehabilitation of various mouth functions can be accomplished with the help of a speech therapist.
