by D. Vogt

Created on: September 03, 2010

Oral cancer is a type of cancer which begins in the linings of the mouth and inside the lips, most commonly as squamous cell carcinoma. Oral cancers are most often caused by tobacco use (including cigarette smoking). Every year, about 35,000 Americans receive an oral cancer diagnosis, and 8000 die from the disease. Most diagnoses occur at a late stage, even though the cancer is highly detectable in its early stages, when it could be more effectively treated.

- Causes of Oral Cancer and Risk Factors for Oral Cancer -

About three-quarters of oral cancer cases occur among tobacco users (those who smoke cigarettes or cigars, and/or chew tobacco). Cigarette smoking is known to increase the risk of contracting a large number of cancers, especially lung cancer but also including oral cancer and stomach cancer. This is the leading cause of oral cancer in older people. Heavy alcohol drinking can increase the risk of oral cancer, and alcohol and tobacco use together cause the greatest risk.

Many of the remaining cases of oral cancer are now believed to occur as a consequence of infection by human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts. HPV has previously been implicated in causing cervical cancer in women, and several of those strains responsible for cervical cancer are now targeted by vaccines. However, when HPV infection occurs via the mouth through oral sex, the same mutations which lead to cervical cancer may also lead to cancer in the mouth.

In addition, there are several demographic factors known to affect the chances of getting oral cancer. Most diagnoses occur after age 40, although the average age at diagnosis has been creeping downwards. Men remain twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with oral cancer. African-Americans are also at greater risk than white Americans, with both a higher rate of diagnosis as well as a lower survival rate following diagnosis.

- Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Cancer -

It is relatively easy to identify a suspected cancerous growth in the mouth. A doctor or a dentist will search for lesions or ulcers on the inside of the lips, on the lining of the mouth, or on the tongue. Once a suspicious area is identified, a small tissue sample can be removed via a biopsy for further analysis. If the tissue is cancerous, further tests are necessary to determine whether or not the cancer has spread from the mouth to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Once oral cancer has been diagnosed, the standard treatment approach

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