An Oral Surgeon’s Role in Treating Oral Cancer

Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, is a common but serious health condition. Oral surgeons play a crucial role in treating this disease. Not only can they test and diagnose the cancer, but they can also offer treatment and reconstructive surgery as needed.

About oral cancer

As its name suggests, oral cancer may affect the mouth and oropharynx, comprising parts of the tongue, mouth roof, and the back of the throat. This type of cancer can be tricky because its signs may at first seem like a noncancerous issue, such as:

• Pain or tenderness of the mouth, face, or neck
• Bleeding sores on the mouth or lips
• Rough spots inside the mouth
• Crusty spots on the lips or gums
• Chronically bad breath
• Difficulty eating
• Trouble speaking

If any of these issues do not resolve on their own, consult a dental professional. For example, mouth sores that do not heal within two weeks require a professional examination. They can screen for oral cancer and, if needed, refer the patient to a specialist (typically an oral surgeon) for further testing and an official diagnosis. Like any cancer, oral cancer will become more severe and spread to other areas if left unaddressed.

How an oral surgeon can help

An oral surgeon will work with a patient’s healthcare team to diagnose, treat, and prevent the recurrence of oral cancer. It is best to consult one of these dental professionals as soon as cancer is suspected. Here is a closer look at an oral surgeon’s role in identifying and treating oral cancer:

Testing and early diagnosis of oral cancer

Early detection of oral cancer often results in a less invasive and easier treatment. An oral surgeon will, therefore, test thoroughly for oral cancer through various approaches. The first approach will be a physical examination of the problem area and the rest of the mouth, face, and even neck. From here, the oral surgeon will likely order a biopsy. This may be a brush or incisional biopsy, in which they respectively scrape or cut out some cells for testing.

Oral cancer treatment

Depending on the type and severity, it is possible to treat oral cancer through oral surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. An oral surgeon can discuss each of these options. Primary tumor surgery can remove cancer in the mouth. Similarly, there are procedures to cut out cancer in the jaw (mandibulectomy) or roof of the mouth (maxillectomy). If the cancer affects the tongue, part or all of the tongue may need to be removed (glossectomy).

Reconstructive surgery after treatment

Some of the procedures listed above create a need for reconstructive surgery to restore both function and beauty to the mouth, jaw, or face. A common example is if the tumor is located on the lips. An oral surgeon can help with this aspect of treatment as well.