How to Treat Gum Cancer

Gum cancer is a type of oral cancer in which malignant cells develop on the gums. Like most cancers, gum cancer is a serious and potential life-threatening condition. If left untreated, cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of gum cancer vary, but most sufferers deal with painful gum sores. Although serious, gum cancer is treatable if caught early.

Instructions

1. Meet with an oral oncologist. You'll need to schedule an appointment with an oncologist who specializes in oral cancers. He or she will do a complete examination, review your medical history and determine the best course of treatment.

2. Schedule an appointment to remove the tumor. Depending on the location and size of the cancerous tumor, an oncologist may recommend the complete removal of the tumor. This involves surgery, in which a surgeon removes a small section of your gum and the surrounding tissue.

3. Get radiation treatments. Radiation is an effective cancer treatment that kills cancerous cells and stops these malignant cells from spreading. This is an option when gum cancer tumors are small and haven't spread. Doctors administer a high dose of radiation therapy. Oftentimes, this is enough to kill and stop the development of cancerous cells on the gums.

4. Receive chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy is a common drug used to treat many different types of cancers, including gum cancer. This drug destroys cancerous cells, and it's often recommended for larger tumors, or when cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

Tips & Warnings

• Oncologists may recommend multiple treatments. For example, after having a tumor surgically removed, doctors may order a round of radiation and chemotherapy to destroy microscopic cancerous cells.

Resources

• American Cancer Society: chemotherapy
• Oral/gum cancer