Mouth Cancer

Mouth Cancer Treatment at Garnet Health

When you or a loved one are diagnosed with mouth cancer you’ll want to choose trusted care providers who will be at your side with experience, dedication and compassion. The outstanding team of specialists in our Head and Neck Cancer Program are here to answer your questions and tailor your mouth cancer treatment to your unique circumstances and preferences, all to achieve the best possible outcome.

What Is Mouth Cancer?

Mouth cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that can develop on your lips or anywhere inside your mouth, such as your tongue, gums, inner cheeks, hard palate or the areas under your tongue and behind your wisdom teeth.

Mouth Cancer Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Symptoms

The early signs of mouth cancer are not always easy to spot. In many cases, the cancer is detected by a dental professional during a routine oral health care checkup. Some common symptoms include:

• A persistent sore, irritation or thickness on your lip or in your mouth
• A red or white patch on your gums, tongue or inner cheeks
• Unusual pain, numbness or bleeding in your mouth
• Loose teeth or, if you wear dentures, swelling that alters their comfort or fit

Causes

Most mouth cancers begin in the flat, thin cells (squamous cells) that line your lips and the inside of your mouth. For reasons not fully understood, these cells sometimes develop DNA changes that cause them to grow uncontrollably. The abnormal cells then accumulate and form a mouth tumor. While the precise causes of these DNA changes are unclear, researchers have identified several factors that may increase the risk of mouth cancer. For instance, smoking and excessive sun exposure can increase the risk of cancer on the lips, while chewing tobacco can increase the risk inside the mouth.

Treatment

Mouth cancer treatment usually involves the surgical removal of the tumor. A small tumor may be removed with a minor procedure, but a larger tumor may require more extensive surgery. Your mouth cancer surgery may be followed by reconstructive surgery to rebuild your mouth and help you regain the ability to speak and eat, and perhaps swallowing or speech therapy.

Radiation therapy is another important treatment for mouth cancer. Sometimes, radiation therapy is delivered in conjunction with chemotherapy for enhanced effectiveness.

Specialty Care Near Your Home

When you turn to Garnet Health for mouth cancer treatment, you will receive compassionate and personalized care from renowned head and neck cancer specialists who practice in the Hudson Valley. Our surgeons are skilled and experienced in utilizing the latest minimally invasive techniques to remove mouth tumors and perform reconstructive surgery. Our goal is to cure your cancer while preserving your facial appearance and mouth function. 

Garnet Health provides comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and supportive care services for mouth cancer in Orange and Sullivan Counties, including Middletown, Harris and Callicoon, NY.