Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Megan Canada

Oral Squamous cell carcinoma does not easily metastasis through the body; it is locally invasive. This certain cancer is one of the most common types of oral cancer.

Causes: Some of the main risk factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma are alcohol, smoking, and the HPV virus. It is mainly seen in people who are heavy drinkers, heavy smokers and people with the HPV virus. Although these are some of the main risks of oral Squamous cell carcinoma, you don’t necessarily have to drink, smoke, or have the HPV virus to acquire this type of cancer.


Symptoms: Possible signs of oral Squamous cell carcinoma are:
-Sores in your mouth or on your lips that will not heal.
-Change in voice or lump in your throat.
-A sore throat that does not go away.
-Teeth that become loose or your jaw swells.
-Red or white patches on your tonsils, lining of your mouth, tongue, or gums

Diagnostics: There are many different tests doctors can do to determine if someone has oral Squamous cell carcinoma. Some of the tests include CT scan, MRI, Biopsy, Barium swallow, Endoscopy, PET scan, X-rays, physical exams, and exfoliative cytology. Usually it takes more than one of these tests to determine if someone has oral Squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatment: Some of the treatment methods for treating oral Squamous cell carcinoma are chemotherapy, radiation, and removal of the tumor. Sometimes the tumor can be too big for removal. Most people go through a series of chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on what stage your cancer is determines what and how many treatments you will need to have. It also determines if you need just radiation or chemotherapy or both of them.

Sources:

Cancer.gov lip and oral cancer
Http://www.livestrong.com/article/168609-what-are-the-causes-of-squamous-cell-carcinoma-of-the-tongue/
Http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/lip-and-oral-cavity/Patient/page1