Mouth, Nose, and Throat Cancers: Risks, Symptoms, and What to Know

06/20/2022

Oral cancer refers to any cancer of the mouth or oral cavity. This is distinct from throat cancer, which is classified as a head and neck cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 60,400 people are diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers each year, and those rates are steadily rising. Most of the time, the causes of a given oral cancer are linked to identifiable risk factors. When our patients express concern about getting oral cancer, we assure them that they can reduce their risk by practicing good oral hygiene and knowing the symptoms.

Causes of Oral Cancer

Like all cancers, oral cancer begins when DNA in cells mutates, leading to the proliferation of cancer cells. According to Mayo Clinic experts, most oral cancers stem from alcohol use, excessive sun exposure, tobacco use, or HPV.

Alcohol Use

People who drink heavily are about six times more likely than those who don’t to develop cancers of the mouth, which often originate in the soft tissues of the roof, floor, and cheeks of the oral cavity. Worse, drinking and smoking together increase your likelihood of developing oral cancers more than either alone.

Sun Exposure

Failing to use sunscreen isn’t just a cause of skin cancer. It’s also a cause of lip cancer, yet another reason to use sunscreen and lip balms with SPF protection. UV damage from sun exposure in early childhood can also be a factor.

Tobacco Use

The longer a person uses tobacco, the more likely they are to develop oral cancer, especially if they use frequently throughout the day. The type of cancer a tobacco user develops depends on whether they smoke or chew tobacco. Chewing often results in cancer of the gums, lips, and the inner lining of the cheeks. People who smoke are more likely to develop oral cancer of the lips or the soft palate at the back of the throat.

HPV Exposure

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that resolves on its own in most people. However, some high-risk strains of HPV can cause cellular changes that lead to cancer, including cancer of the oropharynx, tonsils, and throat.

Symptoms of Oral Cancers

Many signs of oral cancer can be easy to overlook, which is why a routine dental exam can help you identify and treat the cancer at its early stages. Nevertheless, the National Institutes of Health identifies the following symptoms:

Sores in the mouth, throat, or lips that won’t go away
New, bumpy, and lumpy rough patches in your gums
Unexplained bleeding
Red and white patches in the mouth that resemble tonsillitis, but don’t go away with medication
Difficulty moving your jaw for chewing, swallowing, or speaking
Persistent soreness or numbness in the ears, mouth, throat, or face
Unexplained rapid weight loss
Swelling and movement in your bite

If any of these symptoms persist for at least two weeks, it’s best to have a dentist or doctor check them out.

Risk Factors for Developing Oral Cancers

Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use are major contributors to nose, throat, and mouth cancers. But there are other risk factors that increase your vulnerability to developing oral cancer:

Consistently poor diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
Being over 40 years old
Family history of cancers
HPV
Weak immune system and immunosuppressants
Having already had an oral cancer
Genetic disorders
Exposure to radiation

What You Can Do to Prevent Oral Cancer

MD Anderson Cancer Center advises that early detection is key to effective treatment that minimizes damage to your mouth and the rest of your body. Perhaps the best way to prevent the dangerous complications oral cancer can cause is to see your dentist regularly. Even sores that indicate oral cancer are often found to be precancerous in their early stages.

At Beckham Square Family Dental, we remind all our patients to brush, floss, eat healthy, and see us for regular checkups. We thoroughly screen for the earliest signs of oral cancer and can advise on treatment if we detect any symptoms.