Hard palate cancer is a rare form of oral cancer. It develops on the roof of your mouth. The exact cause for its development often isn’t known, but habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse can increase your chances of developing it.
This cancer often first presents as a bump or sore on the roof of your mouth which doesn’t heal. You might notice it when you touch the area with your tongue.
The good news is that hard palate cancer can be treated successfully if detected early. Surgery is one of the best ways to increase survival rates in the early stages.
Let’s look at the symptoms and causes of this disease and the treatments available.
Also Read:- Top 5 Most Common Cancers You Should Know About
Is Hard Palate Cancer Common?
No, hard palate cancer is not very common. It is a specific type of oral cancer, which accounts for around 3% of all cancer cases in the United States. Of these, hard palate cancer accounts for only 1% to 5%.
Signs and Symptoms of Hard Palate Cancer
One of the most frequent symptoms of hard palate cancer is a bump or sore on the roof of your mouth that doesn’t heal.
You may feel the bump with your tongue, but it’s sometimes difficult to see without special equipment. If you have any of these signs or symptoms for some time, you should consult a doctor or dentist. When visible, the bump can look like this:
- An ulcer
- A red and black lesion that has the appearance of a mole
Other symptoms include:
- Loose teeth.
- Dentures that do not fit as well as they used to.
- A lump in your neck.
- Bad breath or odor.
- Pain or difficulty in swallowing.
- Change in voice.
What Causes Hard Palate Cancer?
The causes of hard palate cancer are not known at all times. However, a number of factors may increase your risk of developing such cancer. These include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco.
- Heavy drinking.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Irreversible irritation of the mucous membrane in the mouth.
- HPV infections.
Can Hard Palate Cancer be Treated?
Yes, hard palate cancer can be treated, especially if detected early. The type of treatment depends on the progression of the cancer.
Treatment Options:
- Surgery:
During the early stages, surgery may be sufficient to completely remove the cancer, and further treatment might not be necessary
- Neck Dissection:
If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, a surgeon might remove these nodes through a process called neck dissection.
- Maxillectomy:
In this procedure, the tumor and the hard palate are removed, and then the area is replaced by using tissue taken from another part of the body or a prosthetic device.
- Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy employs high-energy rays that kill cancer cells. It often follows surgery just to make sure that all cancer cells are eradicated.
- Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy involves the use of strong medicines to kill cancer cells. Sometimes the two treatments are combined to treat advanced cancer.
- Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy is a treatment that improves your immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. This generally forms part of a treatment for advanced stages of cancer.
Hard Palate Cancer Stages
Doctors classify the growing cancer in stages. The stages refer to the size of the tumor and its presence in other parts of the body. Early detection of this oral cancer on roof of mouth increases your chances of effective treatment.
Stage 1: The tumor is small, less than 2 cm, and is found to have grown less than 5 mm into nearby tissues.
Stage 2: The tumor has grown deeper but not into lymph nodes or other areas.
Stage 3: The tumor is larger and is found to have grown more than 10 mm into tissues.
Stage 4A: This is when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not the surrounding areas.
Stage 4B: Cancer has spread to nearby muscles and tissues from the lymph nodes.
Stage 4C: Cancer has spread to parts of the body far from the original site.
Conclusion
Hard palate cancer is a relatively rare disease and can have severe impacts if not taken care of properly. Awareness of symptoms such as persistent sores and bumps on the roof of the mouth is important to detect the condition in its earliest, most curable stage.
Many people could recover from this condition because of the availability of treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The best ways to prevent this are maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and staying alert with changes in your mouth.
If you suspect something unusual on the roof of your mouth, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. Early detection and timely treatment can make all the difference in managing hard palate cancer.
Source:- healthline.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is soft palate cancer on the roof of the mouth?
Soft palate cancer is a form of oral cancer that is present in the soft, flexible area at the back of the roof of your mouth. It differs from hard palate cancer.
2. Can I prevent hard palate cancer?
You can reduce your risk by avoiding tobacco, minimal alcohol consumption, proper oral hygiene, and having a regular checkup with your dentist.
3. How is oral cancer on the hard palate diagnosed?
Hard palate cancer is usually diagnosed by a doctor during a physical examination and with imaging studies, such as CT scans. In some cases, a biopsy may also be performed wherein a tiny tissue sample is checked for the presence of cancer cells.
4. What are the chances of recovery from early cancer on the roof of the mouth?
If diagnosed early, patients have a good chance of recovery. Surgical and other treatments are quite effective in the initial stages.
5. How long does it take to recover from surgery?
Recovery time depends on the type of surgery and stage of the disease. Most will require several weeks of recovery and may need continued post-operative care.
