Skin, lip, oral, and esophageal cancer (condensed version)

What is cancer?

Malignant growth caused by abnormal, uncontrolled cell division.

What are carcinomas derived from?

Epithelial tissue.

What type of cancer makes up over 90% of oral and oropharyngeal cancers?

Squamous cell carcinoma.

Where are oral cancers most often found?

Lateral border of the tongue.

What areas can oral cancer affect?

Lips, tongue, floor of mouth, buccal mucosa, palate, and oropharynx.

What is epithelial dysplasia?

Premalignant change in cell structure and tissue architecture.

What gene is often mutated in oral cancer?

p53.

What allows cancer to grow and spread?

Loss of growth control, faulty DNA repair, angiogenesis, and immune evasion.

What are the main risk factors for oral cancer?

Tobacco, alcohol, HPV infection, UV light, poor nutrition, and age.

What are the two most significant causes of oral cancer?

Tobacco and alcohol.

How much higher is the risk when tobacco and alcohol are combined?

100 times higher.

What virus is linked to tonsillar and oropharyngeal cancers?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Which HPV type is most associated with oropharyngeal cancer?

HPV-16.

How does HPV-related oral cancer prognosis compare to others?

Better; more sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy.

What age group has the highest risk for oral cancer?

Over 45 years old.

What type of radiation can cause lip cancer?

Actinic (solar) radiation.

What is the precancerous lesion of the lip called?

Actinic cheilitis.

Who is most at risk for lip cancer?

Fair-skinned men.

Which oral lesions are most likely to become malignant?

Erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia.

What is lichen planus and how is it managed?

Chronic inflammatory disease; requires follow-up and possible biopsy.

What are the main treatment options for oral cancer?

Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations of these.

What therapy uses laser light to destroy tumors?

Photodynamic therapy.

What is osteoradionecrosis?

Bone death caused by radiation.

What are common side effects of cancer therapy?

Pain, xerostomia, mucositis, taste changes, caries, and infection risk.

What are common side effects of chemotherapy specifically?

Mucositis, xerostomia, altered taste, and candidiasis.