(PDF) Overview of Oral Cancer

Running head: oral cancer 1
Oral Cancer
Student’s name
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The occurrence of oral cancer is one of the highest in the class of cancers in the world,
especially among men in developing countries. Oral cancer is also another major world health
problem causes by the use of tobacco. It is one of the most life threatening diseases caused by
smoking. According to Regezi, Sciubba, & Jordan, (2016) 80 percent of oral cancer patients
were tobacco smokers. World health organization reports have also concluded that tobacco
smoking claims more lives that several other health hazards such as HIV/AIDS, homicides, car
accidents, alcohol and other illegal drugs (Abro, & Pervez, 2017). This paper focuses on oral
cancer caused as a result of smoking.
According to Morse, et al (2007) apart from causing oral cancer, smoking has been
known to cause very many other cancers, dryness of the mouth, low birth weight and infant
mortality, respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis, discoloration of teeth and a
precancerous condition oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) among other diseases. Overall, tobacco
smoking has been said to cause about 4 million deaths and smoking populations reaching up to a
billion people in the whole world. Worse still, the condition is expected to worsen in the near
future. The effects of tobacco smoking has however affected even nonsmokers which has been
concluded due to the presence of cotinine in their blood. However, the risk of oral cancer is not
as high in non-smokers as compared to that of smokers.
According to Ram, et al (2011) oral cancer has been a known cause of death all over the
world. This cancer largely affects the oral cavity, lip vermilion and the oropharynx. The
prevalence rates are more in men as men have smoke more than women. In respect to age, oral
cancer has been known to affect youths and young adults below the age of 40 years. However,
the condition may fail to be diagnosed up to late adulthood. This has made oral cancer to be
classified as a lifestyle disease. Cancer of the lip vermilion has however been attributed to

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exposure to sun but largely to cigar smoking. Similarly, oral cancer has also been attributed to
other causes such as human papilloma virus (HPV), dietary deficiencies, syphilis and other oral
dental diseases.
The risk of oral cancer increases with increased smoking and decreases with cessation of
smoking. In other words, people who smoke more cigarettes in a day are more likely to develop
cancer as people who smoke less cigarettes and those who have also quitted smoking. Research
has also proven that the risk of pre cancer is equally high as compared to that of oral cancer. As a
matter of fact, tobacco has been largely associated with oral epithelial dysplasia than it has been
associated with oral cancer as the OED does not have as many causes as oral cancer. Some of the
risk factors of the disease include high alcohol consumption, chewing of khat and tobacco,
anemia deficiency, immunosuppressive medications, chronic actinic exposure, dysphagia and
esophageal webs. Studies have also concluded that low vitamin consumption can also been
classified as a risk factor of various types of cancers.
The risks of infection and the prevalence rates can be reduced from early detection of the
disease. Unlike other cancerous conditions, oral cancer has not seen great improvements despite
improvement in technology, measures of sensitizing people on the effects of cigar smoking,
counseling and control of the risk factors. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment can be used
help control the disease. This is so because the disease is perceived to be a preventable condition.
Petersen, (2009) argues that early diagnosis is possible with the identification of suspicious
lesions in the mouth and lips areas. The lesions may develop as white or red patches. These
patches are known as leukoplakia and erythroplakia. In some cases, these lesions may fail to
manifest in earlier stages and it is therefore necessary to ensure regular checkup for other visible

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signs and symptoms such as bleeding, odynophagia, dysphagia and continued increase of the
neck mass among others.
Clinical checkups are recommended at least once every three years for people who smoke
quite often and are 40 years old and above. When such a lesion is identified, it is assessed using
conventional biopsy or other non-invasive methods. The areas surrounding the tongue should be
clearly examined for intraoral cancer. Late diagnosis lowers the survival chances of the patient
depending on the stage of identification. One of the best ways of managing lesions is through
cessation of smoking. This is because the lesions are reversible if their cause is minimized.
Radiology is also one of the ways that may be used to manage the condition.
Oral cancer is sometimes accompanied with another type of cancer argues Chi, Day, &
Neville, (2015). It is therefore advisable for people with oral cancer to undergo screening for
other types such as head and neck screening, the esophagus, trachea and also the lungs. The
scanning and treatment of oral cancer can be done in various ways depending on the location,
size and extent of the tumor. The most common techniques include computed tomographic scans
and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The scan may also be used to identify the extent of
the tumor and thus provide alternatives for other causes of treatment. Surgery and radiation can
be used as treatment methods in advanced cases.
In conclusion, it is important to highlight that tobacco is among the world’s leading
carcinogenic substances and the main cause of oral cancer. Regezi, Sciubba, & Jordan, (2016)
holds that the disease is identifiable through early identification of oral squamous cell
carcinomas, enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes, dysphagia, among other signs and
symptoms. Prevention and control of oral cancer may be managed through early detection,
diagnosis and treatment, increased literacy, advice to potential patients, reduction of the risk

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factors and proper management of the already existing conditions. Screening and sensitizing
patients especially those who smoke is also a greater milestone in preventing oral cancer.

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REFERENCES
Chi, A. C., Day, T. A., & Neville, B. W. (2015). Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell
carcinoma—an update. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(5), 401-421.
Morse, D. E., Psoter, W. J., Cleveland, D., Cohen, D., Mohit-Tabatabai, M., Kosis, D. L., &
Eisenberg, E. (2007). Smoking and drinking in relation to oral cancer and oral epithelial
dysplasia. Cancer Causes & Control, 18(9), 919-929.
Petersen, P. E. (2009). Oral cancer prevention and control–the approach of the World Health
Organization. Oral oncology, 45(4), 454-460.
Ram, H., Sarkar, J., Kumar, H., Konwar, R., Bhatt, M. L. B., & Mohammad, S. (2011). Oral
cancer: risk factors and molecular pathogenesis. Journal of maxillofacial and oral
surgery, 10(2), 132.
Abro, B., & Pervez, S. (2017). Smoking and Oral Cancer. In Development of Oral Cancer (pp.
49-59). Springer, Cham.
Madani, A. H., Dikshit, M., Bhaduri, D., Aghamolaei, T., Moosavy, S. H., & Azarpaykan, A.
(2014). Interaction of alcohol use and specific types of smoking on the development of
oral cancer. International journal of high risk behaviors & addiction, 3(1).
Regezi, J. A., Sciubba, J. J., & Jordan, R. C. (2016). Oral pathology: clinical pathologic
correlations. Elsevier Health Sciences.