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oral cancer
(redirected from Mouth neoplasms)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
oral cancer,
a malignant neoplasm on the lip or in the mouth that occurs at an average age of 60, with a frequency eight times higher in men than in women. Predisposing factors are alcoholism, heavy use of tobacco, poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, syphilis, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, betel nut chewing, and, in lip cancer, pipe smoking and overexposure to sun and wind. Premalignant leukoplakia or erythroplasia or a painless nonhealing ulcer may be the first sign of oral cancer; localized pain usually occurs later, but lymph nodes may be involved early in the course. Diagnostic measures include digital examination, biopsy, exfoliative cytology, x-ray film of the mandible, and chest films to detect metastatic lung lesions. Almost all oral tumors are epidermoid carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas occur occasionally, whereas sarcomas and metastatic lesions from other sites are rare. Small primary lesions may be treated by excision or irradiation, and more extensive oral tumors may be treated by surgery, with removal of involved lymph nodes and preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy. Among chemotherapeutic agents administered are cisplatin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin, and adriamycin. Postoperative nursing care involves maintenance of airway patency, relieving pain, promoting adequate nutrition, and health teaching regarding follow-up care and psychosocial adjustment if body image has been affected.

cancer (kan´sur),
n a malignant neoplasm. The term is sometimes incorrectly used to include any neoplasm, whether benign or malignant.
Carcinoma and
sarcoma are more specific terms.
cancer, oral,
n malignancies indicative of unchecked cell growth that are mainly found in and around the oropharynx, gingiva, floor of the oral cavity, lower lip, and base of the tongue.

oral cancer
Cancer of mouth, mouth cancer ENT A malignancy of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth, salivary glands, buccal mucosa, gingiva, palate; most OCs are squamous cell carcinomas linked to tobacco use and/or smoking, and tend to spread rapidly High risk factors for OCs Alcohol abuse, poor dental and oral hygiene, chronic irritation–eg, rough teeth, dentures, etc; OCs may begin as leukoplakia or mouth ulcers; ♂ are hit twice as often as ♀. See Squamous cell carcinoma.

Patient discussion about oral cancer.

Q. What is Mouth cancer? My grandfather has been diagnosed with mouth cancer. What is it? Is it dangerous?

A. I have sort lip bottom lip for abouth sis years my lip burt dry huet i try lipsyl all gaine i dont know what to do

Q. What are the symptoms of mouth cancer? I have an ulcer in my mouth that won't go away, could it be cancer?

A. The symptoms for cancer of the mouth are:
an ulcer or sore in your mouth
a red or white patch in your mouth
an unexplained pain in your mouth or ear
an unexplained lump in your neck
a sore or painful throat
a croaky voice or difficulty swallowing

See your doctor or dentist if any of these symptoms last longer than three weeks.

Q. What is radiotherapy? My Grandfather had a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on his cheek. He now needs to undergo radiotherapy. What is this? what are its side effects?

A. Generally, radiotherapy causes tiredness and sore, red skin in the area being treated. This is a bit like sunburn. Radiotherapy to the neck can damage the thyroid gland. Other side effects include: a sore throat- due to mouth ulcers, pain on swallowing,
a dry mouth- due to damage caused to the salivary glands (which are in charge of making the saliva), taste changes, a hoarse voice and effect on the sense of smell.

Read more or ask a question about oral cancer


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