Oral cancers and treatment side effects

Cancers related to the oral cavity are diverse, as they affect all parts of the mouth: lips, mucosa of the mouth and pharynx.

We detail the different cancers of the mouth and reviews the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, whether the cancer is related to the mouth or not. Indeed, all medications, even when the pathology does not concern the mouth, have an impact on the health of the oral cavity.

The figures for oral cancer

According to Santé Publique France, new cases of LBP (Lip Mouth Pharynx) cancer number 10,055 in men and 3,637 in women (2018 figures).

Deaths due to this pathology are constantly decreasing, thanks to increasingly effective treatments, with eventual recourse to reconstructive surgery to recover a functional and aesthetic organ.

Organs affected by LBP cancer

LBP cancers are most often carcinomas. Instead of attacking the epidermis, they affect the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the mouth. LBP cancers can also involve the muscles, nerves or bones of the mouth and extend to the lips and pharynx. The pharynx is the aerodigestive crossroads between the airways (from the nasal cavity to the larynx) and the digestive tract (from the oral cavity or mouth to the esophagus).

Thus, we can distinguish:

• Tongue cancer: the most frequent after carcinomas;
• Palate cancer
• Tonsils cancer which can be carcinoma or lymphoma (cancer of the lymph);
• Lip cancer, which can be affected on the surface or in the deepest layer of the epidermis.

The causes of LBP cancer

LBP cancers are more common in men than in women. They can often be linked to highly identified behaviors, including smoking and drinking. These bad habits take time to trigger pathologies, which is why these cancers often occur after the age of 40. However, like all cancers, the cause is not always identified and hereditary transmission must always be considered.

Recognized risk factors include:

• alcohol ;
• smoking or chewing tobacco ;
• other chewing products such as areca nuts or betel;
• UV exposure from the sun for lip cancer.
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infections

We must also take into account all the other related pathologies, cancerous or not, and the serious nutritional deficiencies, which weaken the immune system and make it more susceptible to the development of cancer.

Symptoms of oral cancer

Cancers can only be detected by a medical examination. However, certain problems may alert you to the need for a check-up with your dentist. The earlier a cancer is treated, the more likely it is to be cured.

Here are some of the abnormalities you should watch for:

• red and white coloring;
• lesions that do not heal;
• bleeding ;
• lumps and swellings;
• unexplained pain;
• loss of sensitivity,
• hoarse voice;
• moving teeth, etc.

Treatment of LBP cancers

LBP cancer can be treated with chemotherapy (to prevent it from growing), radiation therapy (to destroy the cancer cells) and/or oncologic surgery (to remove the affected parts).

Side effects of cancer treatments

Any medical treatment has side effects. In the case of cancer, whether of the mouth or of any other organ, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are shock treatments that can affect your oral health.

The mucous membrane of the mouth is put to the test and, more than ever, you must adopt impeccable hygiene. There is no question of developing infections in addition to the cancer.

Before starting radiation or chemotherapy treatment for any cancer, make an appointment with your dentist to make sure any conditions you may have are treated. Treatments increase the risk of developing cavities and accelerate the formation of incipient cavities, so you should treat them first.

The salivary glands can be affected and the treatments can cause a very unpleasant dryness of the mouth which is also favorable to the development of cavities. Mycoses can also take advantage of this to settle. Your dentist can prescribe treatments for both of these problems.

You may lose your taste momentarily and your mouth may become sore. In this case, choose a diet that requires as little chewing as possible.

Finally, you may develop osteoradionecrosis. This condition, fortunately not very frequent – between 2 and 4% of patients treated – is a complication of radiotherapy, linked to a defect in the healing of bone tissue. It is treated by surgical treatment.