About 40,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Caught early, many oral cancers are considered by doctors to be curable. But the key is early diagnosis, says Dr. Christine G. Gourin, associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and director of the Clinical Research Program in Head and Neck Cancer. To help publicize the warning signs of this disease, the third week of this month has been named oral, head and neck cancer awareness week, she says.
Johns Hopkins Medicine is offering free oral, head and neck cancer screenings 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24 at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, Sixth Floor, 600 N. Wolfe St. The screenings are free, but appointments are necessary (no walk-ins will be accepted). To schedule an appointment, call 410-955-1080. For more information, go to hopkinsmedi cine.org/otolaryngology.
What are the most common kinds of oral cancers?
The most common oral cancers are squamous cell cancers, a particular type of cancer that arises from the lining of the mouth when the cells undergo a malignant transformation. This kind accounts for about 90 percent of the tumors and oral cancers we see.
What are among the other kinds of oral cancers?
There are other cell types in the mouth, including salivary gland tissue and mucus gland tissue, that can give rise to cancer as well. Some rare cancer types also can arise from muscle. And there are precancerous lesions, too, that can be hard to differentiate from cancerous growths that can become cancer if they are not removed or treated early.
Who is at particular risk for oral cancer?
A history of tobacco or alcohol use is a risk factor. More than half of the cancers we see arise in people who a have a history of heavy tobacco and alcohol use combined.
These cancers have more commonly been seen in men historically. But in recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the use of tobacco in women, and so women are catching up.
Are there other risk factors?
Yes, we also see cancers arise in people who have had repeated trauma to the oral cavity, such as areas that have been repeatedly bitten. Or, dental trauma caused by the edge of a tooth rubbing against the gum can sometimes give rise to cancer.
And, finally, there are certain areas of the world, such as India, where chewing beetle nuts is associated with the ... cancer.
