An Overlooked Threat
Oral cavity and throat cancers are among the more serious yet often overlooked forms of cancer. Despite the ease of examining the oral cavity compared to other internal organs, a majority of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. A significant portion of patients—up to 50%—continue to work while unknowingly carrying a progressing disease. Unfortunately, many seek medical help only when the disease severely affects their ability to eat, drink, or speak.
Early Signs Are Often Ignored
Early-stage oral cancer (tumors under 2-4 cm) is detectable and often treatable with good outcomes. However, only about 30% of patients are diagnosed at these stages. Late-stage diagnoses account for a higher mortality rate, with approximately 37% of oral cancer patients dying within the first year after their initial doctor visit. In contrast, throat cancer shows a slightly better early diagnosis rate due to symptoms like hoarseness or breathing difficulties prompting faster medical attention.
Lifestyle-Related Risks
Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are the most significant risk factors. These habits damage the mucous membranes and increase cancer risk, particularly among older men. Around 95% of male patients with oral cancer are long-term smokers, and about half of them also abuse alcohol. Alcohol, while not a direct carcinogen, enhances the absorption of carcinogenic compounds from tobacco smoke.
Women are less frequently affected, but this is changing. The rise in smoking among women may soon lead to a parallel increase in oral and lung cancers within this demographic.
Challenges in the Medical System
There are also gaps in early detection by healthcare providers. Missing visible tumors in the mouth can be a critical failure. Education initiatives and specialized courses are being implemented to improve early diagnosis among general practitioners, dentists, and ENT specialists.
Treatment and Reconstruction
Treatment options vary depending on the tumor’s size and location. In many cases, organ-preserving surgeries can be performed, and if extensive tissue removal is necessary, reconstructive plastic surgery is available. Advanced techniques allow patients to retain functions such as speech and swallowing, and voice prostheses can help those who have had their larynx removed to speak again.
Modern surgical centers offer reconstructions using tissue grafts from other body parts, facial prosthetics, and even mandibular reconstruction with donor or patient bone tissue.
Public Misconceptions and Fear
One of the obstacles to early diagnosis is fear. The word “cancer” still carries a heavy psychological burden. However, clear communication about the nature of tumors, treatment possibilities, and outcomes can ease these fears. It’s crucial to educate patients that many early-stage cancers can be treated successfully and even without surgery in some cases.
Another misconception is the belief that cancer can be contagious. Despite advances in public education, even educated individuals sometimes hold onto this myth.
Red Flags That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Chronic ulcers or lesions in the mouth that don’t heal within two to three weeks should be examined by an oncologist. Some patients mistake early symptoms for minor issues and delay seeking help until the disease is advanced.
Although there are tumor markers for some types of cancer, no reliable markers exist for oral cavity tumors. Fortunately, these cancers are visually identifiable, making regular self-examination and routine dental check-ups crucial for early detection.
Emerging Concerns in Women’s Health
A concerning trend is the increasing exposure of women to potential risk factors like tobacco use and inhalation of chemicals from cosmetic products. While the long-term impact of hair sprays, styling foams, and similar products remains unclear, ongoing exposure to irritants could increase the cancer risk over time.
Additionally, cancers of the salivary glands, which are less understood, tend to appear slightly more often in women than in men.
Is a “Lump in the Throat” a Warning Sign?
Most of the time, a “lump in the throat” is a psychosomatic symptom related to stress or neurological conditions rather than cancer. However, persistent symptoms unrelated to emotional stress should be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out physical causes.