Floor of the mouth cancer
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Floor of mouth is cancer that starts in the tissue lining of the area below the mouth which is made up of squamous cells (thin and flat cells). This cancer begins either as a sore sensation that does not heal or a lump. The most common treatments for this type of cancer are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Symptoms
Floor of the mouth cancer has the following signs and symptoms:
- Non-healing sore in the mouth
- Constant white mouth patches
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
- Chewing, swallowing, or speaking difficulty
- Tongue or jaw movement difficulty
- Long term bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Ear pain
- Neck pain and swelling
- Unexplained weight loss
If these symptoms persist and it worries you, consult your doctor.
Causes
Floor of the mouth cancer starts when the healthy cells undergo genetic mutations. This mutation instructs the cells to grow and divide rapidly and uncontrollably. Over time the cancer cells may spread to nearby tissues and to other parts of the body (metastasize).
Risk factors
The following are the risk factors that may develop floor of the mouth cancer:
- Tobacco smoking (poses higher risk)
- Alcohol consumption (poses higher risk)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Taking immune system suppressant medications.
- Sun exposure of the lips without a sunblock
- Family history of oral cancer
Diagnosis
The following tests may be performed to diagnose floor of the mouth cancer:
- Physical examination. The doctor will perform a physical assessment and interview the patient about the signs and symptoms, as well as medical history.
- Tissue biopsy. A sample of the suspected cancer tissue from the floor of the mouth will be taken by the doctor and sent to the laboratory to evaluate for cancer cells.
- Imaging tests. Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan may be recommended by the specialist to know the extent of cancer and if it has spread.
- Specialist evaluations. The patient will be suggested to consult a nutritionist, speech therapist and swallowing therapy specialists to evaluate the disease.
Treatment
These are the treatments available for floor of the mouth cancer:
- Surgery. Surgery may be performed to remove the cancer, the extent of surgery will based on the size, type, location and how far the tumor has spread. And moreover, if lymph nodes are involved, they may be taken out and evaluate by the laboratory whether if there is any further spreading of cancer.
- Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy utilize high-powered beams through X-ray or protons to destroy cancer cells. If the floor of the mouth cancer is small, radiation may be an option. Radiation therapy can also be used after surgery to eradicate any remaining cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy. Medication are used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. This is commonly used after surgery when treating floor of the mouth cancer to destroy the remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy can also be given with the combination of radiation therapy.
- Photodynamic therapy. Medications are used to make the cancer cells weak enough to be destroyed by laser (high intensity light energy).
- Reconstructive surgery. In some cases of floor of the mouth cancer, reconstructive surgery may be performed to keep the function of the mouth based on the tumor size, location and cancer spread.
- Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation may be needed after surgery or radiation therapy to restore the body’s function and basic needs through speech therapy, swallowing therapy, dietetics, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
