Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer, that usually develops on the squamous or epithelial cells, that cover the lips and the oral cavity. The malignant or cancerous cells are usually found on the floor of the mouth or on the surface of the tongue. These cancerous cells also originate on the lower lips and palate or the tonsillar area of the oral cavity. The squamous cell carcinoma is believed to develop from the keratinizing or malpighian epithelial cells, as the presence of keratin has been observed in the malignant cells. It is one of the most prevalent types of oral and pharyngeal cancers.

Causes

The most important risk factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma are tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. Many studies have shown that smoking and excessive intake of alcohol are the leading causes of this disease. More than 90% of the people affected by this disease have been found to smoke and/or drink alcohol. In addition, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue may be caused by chronic dental caries, chewing tobacco and betel quid. Besides this, oral human papilloma virus (HPV) can also be responsible for causing oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Symptoms

The common symptom of oral squamous cell carcinoma is the appearance of scaly or ulcerated plaque or lesions in the oral cavity. Sometimes, a red patch of lesions, known as erythroplakia, can be observed. Appearance of leukoplakia, a patch of white tissue on the mucus membrane of the mouth is also very common. Besides these, a sore on the lips or gums, a lump on the lips or the gums, a white or red patch on the gum, tongue and tonsils and swelling of the jaw are some other symptoms of this cancer. A sore throat can also be a symptom of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Oral lesions or ulcers are usually detected during a physical examination of the lips and oral cavity. But all these lesions and plaque are not necessarily malignant or cancerous, which necessitates further tests, to ensure a proper diagnosis of the disease. One of the most important tests, is a biopsy of the affected area. In addition to this, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy are also carried out to detect and exclude cancers of the larynx, bronchial tubes and esophagus. In addition to these, chest X-ray and CT scan of the head, chest and neck are performed to properly diagnose the stages of the disease.

The commonly used treatment options for oral squamous cell carcinoma are surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery is usually carried out in the early stage of the disease. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used, particularly if the disease spreads to other areas like the lungs, bones, pericardium and heart. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lips and tongue are treated by surgically removing the affected area. However, surgical reconstruction of lips is required to enable individuals to carry out normal oral activities.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma can significantly increase the risk of both head and neck cancer, accounting for almost 90% of all head and neck cancers. Almost 30,000 people are affected each year by this disease in the United States. As it has been observed that this cancer largely affects those individuals who indulge in excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, so controlling these risk factors can play a significant role in preventing the occurrence and reducing the severity of the disease.