Cancer of the Oral Mucosa

Excerpt

Cancer of the oral mucosa originates from the mucosa lining of various structures within the oral cavity, including the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, anterior two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the hard palate, and the retromolar trigone posterior to the wisdom teeth. The oral cavity shares a close anatomical relationship with the oropharynx, delineated by key boundaries such as the lower edge of the soft palate, the division between the anterior two-thirds and posterior one-third of the tongue, and the anterior pillars of the tonsils. This helps distinguish oral cavity structures, particularly the soft palate, from oropharyngeal structures, such as the faucial and lingual tonsils (the tongue base), aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning (see Image. Layers of Oral Mucosa).

Primary risk factors for oral mucosal cancer include smoking and alcohol consumption, particularly when combined, while additional risks stem from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and stem cell transplants. Oral mucosal cancer treatment typically revolves around surgery as the mainstay, often with adjuvant radiotherapy for advanced-stage cancers.