{"id":363,"date":"2023-01-20T17:05:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.claybrookedental.com\/blog\/?p=363"},"modified":"2023-01-29T17:05:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-29T17:05:49","slug":"understanding-the-stages-treatment-and-symptoms-oral-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.claybrookedental.com\/blog\/understanding-the-stages-treatment-and-symptoms-oral-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Cancer Stages, Symptoms, and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Patient<\/p>\n

Tooth decay and gum disease aren’t the only threats to your smile. 54,500 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, which is responsible for over 11,500 deaths annually. The 5-year survival rate is only 67%, which is attributed to late detection. Contrary to what you might have heard, you don’t have to be a smoker to be at risk. Oral cancer can affect anyone. Here’s what you need to know to safeguard your smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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What is Oral Cancer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oral cancer is classified as those affecting the mouth, throat, and neck. Although it\u2019s easy to detect during the earliest stages, it often isn\u2019t found until it has metastasized. There are 5 stages of mouth cancer, which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The very beginning stage of oral cancer is called carcinoma in situ, which means there are abnormal cells in the lining of the oral cavity or lips that have the potential to become cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage I<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tumor that is no more than 2 centimeters in size and hasn\u2019t spread to the lymph nodes is classified as stage I mouth cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage II<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stage II mouth cancer is described as a tumor between 2-4 centimeters and hasn\u2019t reached the lymph nodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage III<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tumor that\u2019s larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to the lymph nodes is categorized as stage III.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage IV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The more advanced stage of mouth cancer can affect nearby tissue, one or more lymph nodes, or other areas of the body, like the lungs. Stage IV mouth cancer can come back after treatment in other parts of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular oral cancer screenings<\/a> are the best way to detect precancerous and cancerous cells early. It\u2019s estimated that 80% of new oral cancer cases can be diagnosed early through routine screenings performed by a dentist at semi-annual cleanings and checkups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating Oral Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to treat oral cancer, depending on the stage and location. Common treatments can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n