Oral Cancer Treatment

Oral cancers, or cancers of the mouth may be diagnosed by a dentist during a routine examination, or by a medical doctor. Symptoms of mouth cancers include unusual growths in the mouth, sores that do not heal, discolored patches on the palate or insides of the cheeks, painful swallowing or chewing, jaw or tongue pain and loose teeth. Treatments for oral cancer include surgery, radiation and drug therapy which may be done on their own or in combination with one another.

Surgery

• Doctors may perform surgery to remove cancerous tumors in the mouth, which is a minor surgery for small cancers but may require removal of surrounding tissues for larger tumors.

Reconstructive Surgery

• After excision of the cancerous growths from the mouth, reconstructive surgery on the jaw, tongue and cheeks as well as dental implants may be needed.

Surgical Side Effects

• Side effects of surgical treatments for mouth cancer include disfigurement and difficulty with speaking due to removal of tissue from the tongue or palate.

Radiation

• According to the Mayo Clinic, radiation is the most effective treatment for mouth cancers and may be applied externally through x-rays or internally through seeds or wires.

Radiation Side Effects

• The side effects of radiation therapy include dry mouth, tooth decay or loss, bleeding gums, jaw pain or stiffness and discoloration and swelling of facial skin.

Drug Therapy

• Chemotherapy uses drugs that travel throughout the body and kill cancerous cells as well as healthy ones. Targeted drug therapy stops the reproduction of cancer cells in the mouth.

Drug Side Effects

• Side effects from chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness.