Oral cancer covers mouth and back-of-throat malignancies. The tongue, tissue lining the lips and gums, under the tongue, at the base of the tongue, and the back of the throat produce oral malignancies.
Causes
Smoking, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snuff, increases your risk of mouth cancer. Heavy drinking also raises danger.
HPV
Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (specifically the HPV 16 type) has been linked to oral cancers.
Age
Risk increases with age. Oral cancers most often occur in people over the age of 40.
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Treatment
Oral cancer is treated with surgery and possibly radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Oral cancer that is further along when it is diagnosed may need a combination of treatments.
Doctors that specialize in surgery of the head and neck. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are a subset of dentists who focus on surgical procedures involving the face, mouth, and jaw.
Otolaryngologists are specialists who treat conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. Oncologists are specialists in the treatment of cancer, including both medicinal and radiation.