Oral cancer is a growing disease among people, and it is battled everyday. This disease not only affects your body in many ways, but it can be deadly as well. Oral cancer has the ability to affect the whole inside of the mouth, but it is more dangerous when the cancer affects the tongue. One main concern occurs when the tongue tissues are removed. When the tissues are removed the individual has less tongue mass, and they are more vulnerable to letting food and liquids into their lungs. Researches have yet to find a cure but continue to search for what causes the disease, how to prevent it, and how to improve treatments.
Most research that has been done toward oral cancer has focused on the DNA of the cells to see what might be causing the cancer. Research has shown that a mutation in the p53 gene is related to the cause of oral cancer. The p53 gene is linked to controlling the cells from growing to much. When there is a mutation in this gene growth of the cells is not controlled and the cancerous cells can grow rapidly.
Oral cancer affects a great amount of people a year. Studies and research show that about 34,000 people a year are diagnosed with oral cancer. Surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis worked hard In the past years to help those who suffer from oral cancer. The surgeons developed new and improved ways of reconstructing the tongue after the cancerous areas were removed. This new development has helped patients feel more normal by helping them with their speech as well as their swallowing ability.
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