Oral cancer can develop in the squamous cells found in the tissues of the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat. While every cancer patient is different, early detection and treatments, such as oral surgery, are critical to ensure a successful outcome. Learn more about oral cancer treatments in the guide below.

3 Ways to Treat Oral Cancer

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves anti-cancer drugs, which can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, including different forms of chemotherapy or radiation. Chemo treatments are given intravenously or taken by mouth, allowing them to enter the bloodstream more quickly and reach cancer that has spread throughout the body.

2. Surgery

Oral surgery removes as much of the cancer growth as possible. The type of surgery you receive will depend on your overall health and the stage of cancer.

In a tumor resection, the surgeon removes cancerous tissue from the mouth. A mandible resection extracts cancer from the jawbone. A maxillectomy targets cancer in the bones that support the teeth. Mohs micrographic surgery removes cancers from the lips.

3. Radiation

Radiation therapy is typically performed after surgery and uses proton and X-ray beams to deliver high doses of radiation into cancerous tumors from outside the body. Radiation treatments are typically conducted once or twice daily, five times per week over a two-to-eight-week period, depending on the stage of cancer. In advanced stages, radiation is often paired with secondary treatments, such as chemotherapy.

For oral surgery cancer treatments, reach out to the professionals at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska in Anchorage. Their board-certified oral surgeons are highly skilled in a variety of procedures, including maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery after cancer removal. Contact them today at (907) 561-1430 for a consultation, or visit them online to learn more about their services.