Oral Cancer

Question 1

What is the definition of mouth cancer?

Answer 1

A malignant neoplasm whose primary origin is in the mouth and related structures

Question 2

What is the aetiology of mouth cancer?

Answer 2

Local carcinogens (smoking, alcohol, Paan, Khat) and inflammation

Question 3

What is the aetiology of oropharynx cancer?

Answer 3

Local carcinogens (smoking, alcohol, Paan, Khat) and inflammation
HPV

Question 4

What comes under an urgent suspicion of cancer referral for head and neck cancers?

Answer 4

Persistent unexplained head and neck lumps for >3 weeks
Unexplained ulceration or unexplained swelling/induration of the oral mucosa persisting for >3 weeks
All unexplained red or mixed red and white patches of the oral mucosa persisting for >3weeks
Persistent (not intermittent) hoarseness lasting for >3weeks
Persistent pain in the throat or pain on swallowing lasting for >3 weeks

Question 5

List 6 signs and symptoms of oral cancer.

Answer 5

Pain on eating
Difficulty swallowing
Unilateral earache
Trismus
Dysarthria
Sensory loss
Unexplained loosening of teeth
Submucosal mass lesion
Verrucous lesion
Hemi-tongue atrophy/fasciculation
Fracture of mandible/acquired malocclusion
Nasal obstruction/blood stained rhinorrhoea
Coughing blood
Unexplained weight loss

Question 6

What does T staging mean?

Answer 6

Primary tumour

Question 7

What does N staging mean?

Answer 7

Regional lymph nodes

Question 8

What does M staging mean?

Answer 8

Distant metastasis

Question 9

What are some complications of Radiotherapy?

Answer 9

Xerostomia
ORN
Dysphagia
Trismus
Hypothyroidism