Since mouth cancer affects your entire mouth and neck region, many different types exist. They are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Verrucous carcinoma
- Minor salivary glands carcinoma
- Lymphoma
- Benign mouth cavity tumours
Since each patient can develop a different type of these types of cancers, doctors must use a customized approach in terms of diagnosing symptoms and formulating treatment plans. The different types of cancer, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed below.
Squamous cell carcinoma
If you develop mouth cancer, you will likely develop Squamous cell carcinoma because this type of cancer comprises approximately 90% of all mouth cancer cases. You will notice that the lining of your throat and mouth are covered with flat cells resembling fish scales if you have Squamous cell carcinoma.
Verrucous carcinoma
About 5% of people with mouth cancer develop this. Verrucous carcinoma is a type of slow-growing Squamous cell carcinoma. Though verrucous carcinoma does not usually metastasize, it has been known to be invasive and causes substantial organ damage.
Minor salivary glands carcinoma
You may get many different types of cancer in many areas of your mouth if you get this. It develops in any area of your mouth containing salivary glands. Some forms of this cancer include:
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma
- Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
- Polymorphous low-grade carcinoma
Lymphoma
This type of cancer grows in the lymph areas of your mouth. It is dangerous since your lymph nodes and areas comprise most of your immune system. You can develop lymphoma in your tonsils and the base of your tongue because they are part of your lymph system.
Benign mouth cavity tumours
These are generally harmless because they are just clusters of abnormal cells and not cancerous ones. You can get them in your mouth and throat. Pay special attention to these tumours because they have been known to become malignant (though this is relatively rare.) You should have these tumours removed for this reason. Benign mouth cavity tumours include:
- Eosinophilic granuloma
- Fibroma
- Granular cell tumours
- Keratoacanthoma
- Leiomyoma
- Osteochondroma
- Lipoma
- Schwannoma
- Neurofibroma
- Papilloma
- Condyloma acuminatum
- Verruciform xanthoma
- Pyogenic granuloma
- Rhabydoma
- Lesions in your gums