Tag: oral-health

Oral Cavity Cancer Generalities

Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO
  • The oral cavity represents the entrance to the upper aerodigestive tract:
    • Which begins at the lips and ends at the anterior surface of the faucial arch
  • It is lined by squamous epithelium:
    • With interspersed minor salivary glands
  • The oral cavity also contains the:
    • Dentoalveolar structures with the upper and lower dentition
  • The oral cavity is continuously exposed to inhaled and ingested carcinogens:
    • Thus it is the most common site for the origin of malignant epithelial neoplasms in the head and neck region
  • Known carcinogens for oral cavity carcinoma include:
    • Those present in tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts
    • The association of human papilloma virus with oral cancer:
      • Is not as well established as in oropharyngeal cancers
  • Primary tumors of the oral cavity may arise from:
    • The surface epithelium
    • Minor salivary glands
    • Submucosal soft tissues
  • Lesions of dentoalveolar origin:
    • Represent a unique group of neoplasms and cysts
  • More than 90% of malignant tumors in the oral cavity are:
    • Squamous cell carcinomas:
      • The remainder are minor salivary gland carcinomas and other rare tumors
  • Most patients with cancer in the oral cavity are men:
    • Although the incidence of tongue cancer in women in the United States has progressively increased over the past several decades