How Do Cigarettes Cause Mouth Cancer?

Mouth Cancer and Tobacco

According to American Cancer Society, there are approximately 30,000 new cases and 8000 died from mouth cancer every year. Mouth cancers, also known as oral cancers, include cancers of the lip, tongue, salivary glands, floor of the mouth, mesopharynx, and hypopharynx. All types of tobacco use have been show to associate with higher risks of mouth cancer and are estimated to cause more than 90 percent of oral cancers in men and 60% of oral cancers in women.

Cigarettes Contain Many Carcinogens

Cigarettes contain many cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). These include, tar, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde and polonium-210. Tar, the brown residue that stains smoker's teeth and fingers is a collection of solid particles. The risk of oral cancer increases with how long a person has started smoking and how often he or she smokes a day.

Carcinogens Cause Mutations of Cells in the Mouth

Long term exposure to cancer-causing agents in cigarettes alter normal functions of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in oral tissues. These changes will eventually lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the onset of oral precancer.

The First Stage of Cancer

Leukoplakia or erythroplakia are also known as oral precancers. Leukoplakia is a white area (see the figure below) and erythroplakia is a red area in the mouth. Both, if left untreated, will develop into cancer. For instance, on average, it takes erythroplakia 10 year to become cancer.

Know if you Have Oral Cancer

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer include persistent mouth or lip sores, persistent white or red patch(es) in the mouth, unusual long-lasting sore throat, a lump in the mouth, throat, or tongue, difficulty in swallowing or chewing and voice changes.

Early Dectection is key

It should be emphasized that mouth cancers are treatable if detected early. However, since most mouth cancer goes undetected for long time, the survival rate is low: only 48 percent survive five years after diagnosis. This is extremely unfortunate since a simple and painless exam of mouth can lead to early detection of mouth cancer. So if you are a heavy smokers, ask your dental or primary care doctor to exam your mouth regularly. Treatment of mouth cancer consists mostly of surgery following by radiation therapy.

Oral Cancer is Preventable.

To reduce your risk of mouth cancer, avoid any form of tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chews or snuffs. Tobacco together with heavy alcohol use is a strong risk factor for mouth cancer, so drink in moderation, if you must. Exposure to sun might lead to lip cancer, so use lip balm containing sunscreen. Use a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet to lower your overall cancer risk.