Download Mouth Cancer

Mouth Cancer
By Amonte Harding
Black Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongue
This is a relatively rare
condition which is caused
by the elongation of the
taste buds. This condition
can be caused by poor oral
hygiene, chronic oral
irritation or smoking. The
far right photograph
shows a patient who has
been treated
with radiation therapy for
head and neck cancer and
has chronic oral
inflammation.
Comparison
Gum Cancer
Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times
more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral
cancers.
Smokeless tobacco users. Users of dip, snuff,
or chewing tobacco products are 50 times
more likely to develop cancers of the cheek,
gums, and lining of the lips.
Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral
cancers are about six times more common in
drinkers than in nondrinkers.
Family history of cancer.
Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young
age.
It is important to note that over 25% of all
oral cancers occur in people who do not
smoke and who only drink alcohol
occasionally.
Tongue disease
A black hairy tongue is caused by too much
bacteria or yeast growth in the mouth. The
bacteria build up on tiny rounded projections
called papillae. These lie along the surface of
the tongue. Instead of shedding as they
normally do, the papillae start to grow and
lengthen, creating hair-like projections. They
can grow to 15 times their normal length.
Torus palatines
While not technically soft tissue masses, the torus palatinus, torus mandibularis and bony
exostosis (buccal exostosis) are all lesions which present as surface masses and are removed
with minimal disturbance of deeper cancellous bones. Lobulated torus palatinus has slowly
enlarged to fill much of the palatal vault, leaving numerous undercut regions in which food
may become impacted and produce infection.