Oral Cancer Treatment in South Africa

• Squamous cell carcinoma: This is when cancer attacks the squamous cells found in the inside of the mouth.
• Oral malignant melanoma: This is when cancer starts in melanocytes, cells which help give the skin its colour.
• Adenocarcinomas: This is when cancer develops in the salivary glands.

• Male people above the age of 50
• People who smoke cigarettes, cigars or pies.
• People who use smokeless tobacco
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• A family history of cancer.
• Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.
• People infected with human papillomavirus

The most effective ways to prevent mouth cancer from developing and preventing the recurrence after successful treatment include:

• Not smoking
• Drinking alcohol moderately or not at all
• Eating a diet with plenty of citrus fruits, fresh vegetables, fish and olive oil.
• Regular dental check-ups.

• Rough spots, lumps, crusts, swellings, or eroded areas on the gums, lips, or other areas inside the mouth
• The development of white or red patches in the mouth lining.
• A feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
• A chronic sore throat and hoarseness.
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ear pain

Diagnosis

If you experience any symptoms that may indicate oral cancer, your dentist or doctor will examine the inside of your mouth and parts of your neck. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health and history of illnesses and dental problems. Be sure to tell your dentist or doctor if you use or even have used tobacco in any form.

The following tests may be done to diagnose if you have oral cancer and if so how far it has spread.

• Biopsy: A small tissue sample called a biopsy usually is taken. There are different types of biopsy which include: Brush biopsy or exfoliative cytology, incisional biopsy, a fine-needle-aspiration biopsy (FNA), mucosal staining and chemiluminescent light.
• Imaging tests: These may include: CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scans, PET (positron emission tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, Chest and dental X-rays, Barium swallow and endoscopy.
• There are three main treatment options for mouth cancer. They are:
• Surgery: The cancerous cells are surgically removed. Sometimes, some of the surrounding tissue is also removed. Surgery is usually recommended if the tumor is small and if surgery is likely to result in complete removal of cancerous cells.
• Chemotherapy: Powerful medications are used to kill cancerous cells. Sometimes chemotherapy is used in conjunction with surgery.
• Radiotherapy: High energy X-rays are used to kill cancerous cells. Radiotherapy can be combined with chemotherapy and surgery if the cancer is advanced.

• Maxillectomy which can be done with or without orbital exenteration.
• Mandibulectomy which is the removal of the mandible or lower jaw or part of it.
• Glossectomy which is tongue removal. It can be partial, hemi or total.