Oral Cancer

Question 0

What are the risk factors for oral cancer?

Answer 0

1) Age - increasing age is a risk factor.
- > Men 55+yrs and women 65+ years
2) Sex
3) Tobacco
- > 30X greater risk
- > aerodigstive tract most affected
4) Alcohol
- > increased risk if more than 4 standard drinks a day
- > standard drink is 10ml
5) Iron deficiency
6) Immunocompromise

Question 1

What are the textbook signs of oral cancer?

Answer 1

1) Large fungating mass
2) loose tooth
3) Numb lips
4) Foul breath

Question 2

What are some examples of precancerous lesions?

Answer 2

Leukoplakia
Erythroplakia
-> 1 in 10 hence need to be careful
Spekled leukoplakia
-> 1 in 5 especially if involves the floor of the mouth

Question 3

What factors will determine the outcome of oral cancer?

Answer 3

1) Stage
2) Site
3) Pathology
4) Treatment required

Question 4

What are the main indicators for areas requiring biopsy?

Answer 4

1) Generally, most unusual looking mucosa
2) Ulcer, lump
3) Most posterior
4) Most inferior
5) Most red

Question 5

Describe the TNM system of staging solid tumours?

Answer 5

T = tumour
T1 = <2cm, T2 = 2-4cm, T3 = 4-6cm, T4 = 6+cm or with bony involvement
N = nodal metastasis
N0 = no palpable nodes
N1 = Single small node
N2 = several small or large nodes
N3 = 6+cm mass
M = Metastasis
M0 = no metastasis
M1 = distant metastasis

Question 6

Oral cancers are most often associated with metastasis with which organs?

Answer 6

The lungs and liver.

Question 7

What are the treatment options for oral cancer?

Answer 7

1) Surgery
2) Radiotherapy
3) Chemotherapy
4) Various combinations