Mouth Cancer Treatments

Mouth cancer can grow on the lips, tongue, gums, roof or bottom of the mouth and on the insides of the cheeks. People who use tobacco products, drink alcohol in excess, are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), have had sunburns on the face and lips and those who have had other cancers of the upper body and head are at an increased risk of mouth cancer. Treatments for mouth cancer depend on the location and stage of the cancer and the general health of the patient.

Surgical Removal

• Small mouth cancers are more easily removed through surgery than large tumors, which may require removal of parts of the jaw or surrounding tissues.

Surgical Effects

• Mouth cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes may require additional surgery of the neck to remove cancerous growths.

External Radiation

• External radiation directed at the mouth through x-rays can kill cancerous cells but may also damage healthy tissue that surrounds the cancer.

Brachytherapy

• Brachytherapy is the use of internal radiation implanted into the cancerous growth in the form of small pellets or wires.

Radiation Effects

• Side effects of radiation treatments for mouth cancer include tooth loss, mouth sores, bleeding gums, jaw pain, loss of facial hair and a sunburned appearance of the skin.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and, according to the Mayo Clinic, increases the success of radiation therapy for mouth cancer.

Chemotherapy effects

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, vomiting and widespread hair loss.