About Gum Cancer ' .. New topic for the translation of dental students ' ..
Overview
Cancer that starts in the gingiva, or gums, is grouped with other cancers of the oral cavity. Oral cancers typically start in instances of leukoplakia, which are areas of white patches of cells that are persistent and do not go away, and in cells that line the oral cavity called squamous cells, according to the National Cancer Institute. Many oral and gum cancers are found during a dental exam, and with early detection, gum cancer is very treatable.
Significance
The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009 in the United States, there were 23,110 new diagnoses of oral cancer, and 5,370 individuals died from the disease.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing gum cancer include infection with the human papillomavirus, or HPV; being male; using tobacco products or heavy consumption of alcohol; and exposure to sunlight, according to the National Cancer Institute. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 8 out of 10 oral cancers could be avoided by abstaining from tobacco and alcohol. Poor nutrition and a suppressed immune system are additional risk factors that the American Cancer Society lists.
Features
Gum cancer may not have any symptoms, but if any are present, they can include a persistent sore on the gums, a lump or thickening in the gums, a white or red patch on the gums, pain or soreness in the mouth and swelling of the jaw, according to the National Cancer Institute. These signs can also be symptomatic of other ailments, so it is important to get an accurate assessment and diagnosis of any abnormalities.
Diagnosis
To accurately diagnose gum cancer, the National Cancer Institute lists several tests that may be performed, including an examination of the oral cavity, biopsies of any abnormal areas of the gums, X-rays, CT scans and PET scans. Once gum cancer is diagnosed, it will be staged. Staging involves using characteristics of the cancer, including the size, whether any lymph nods are involved, and any distant metastases, to classify the severity. For gum cancer, the stages range from Stage I to Stage IV, in order of ascending invasiveness.
Treatment
The National Cancer Institute lists two types of standard treatment for oral cancer as surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery can include removal of the cancerous area, along with a margin of healthy tissue around it to ensure the whole tumor is removed; if the cancer has invaded the bone, sometimes removal of part of the bone is necessary. Lymph node removal may also be necessary to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph system. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells and slow down any cancer growth. It may be administered externally via a machine outside the body, with the radiation aimed at the cancerous area, or internally, where radioactive pellets or needles are placed in the cancerous area for a short time.
Time Frame
The survival rate for cancer is measured in a five-year time frame; this is typically called the five-year survival rate. The American Cancer Society lists survival rates for gum and other mouth cancers as a group. For Stage I, the five-year survival rate is 81 percent; Stage II, 62 percent; Stage III, 45 percent; and Stage IV, 40 percen
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References
National Cancer Institute: Oral Cancer Home Page
American Cancer Society: What are the risk factors associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancer?
National Cancer Institute: General Information about Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer bladder cancer
National Cancer Institute: Treatment Option Overview
About Gum Cancer ' .. New topic for the translation of dental students ' .. 
