Infant Oral Cavity Cancer - Risk Factor, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction:

Oral cancer cells grow out of control and cause tissue damage, which is dangerous. It affects the oral cavity, including the lips, cheeks, gums, palate, and throat. According to the American Dental Association, 41,000 individuals are affected by oral cancer. However, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is rare in children and uncommon in young adults. In pediatric patients, genetic diseases such as Fanconi anemia, xeroderma pigmentosum, keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome, or other unexplained genetic risk factors may be relevant. This distinction in etiology might become more evident. Early SCC findings on young persons generally concluded that the disease was more aggressive and the prognosis was worse than in older adults. However, it is crucial to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors because, if untreated, it can be fatal.

Which Is the More Prevalent Part of Developing Cancer in the Oral Cavity?

The following are parts of the oral cavity which are prevalent in developing cancer:

• The tongue's anterior two-thirds.

• Gum tissue or gingiva.

• Buccal mucosa (the internal lining of the cheeks within the oral cavity).

• Under the tongue or the floor of the mouth.

• The hard palate or the roof of the mouth.

• The retromolar area (the trim area behind the wisdom teeth).

What Is the General Risk Factor of Cancer?

All that increases a person's risk of developing cancer is considered a risk factor. However, the majority of risk factors don't cause cancer. Despite having multiple risk factors, it increases the incidence of cancer. The following are general cancer risk factors:

• Older individual.

• Familial history of cancer.

• Usage of tobacco.

• Obesity.

• Alcohol.

• Specific viral infections, like those caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered a contributing factor to cancer. Oral cavity cancer will occur in some kids with no known risk factors, but not all kids with one or more of these risk factors will develop it.

• Genetic disorders like xeroderma pigmentosum, dyskeratosis congenita, epidermolysis bullosa, or Fanconi anemia.

• Having graft vs. host illness on a persistent basis.

• Chemicals.

• Exposure to radiation, such as the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays.

Can Oral Cancer Occur in Children?

Although oral cancer can affect anyone, it is relatively uncommon in youngsters. However, the children often do not experience the main oral cancer risk factors, such as heavy alcohol or tobacco use or the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 90 % of children's oral tumors are benign. Lymphoma and sarcoma are the most prevalent kinds of cancer in the mouth cavity. It is uncommon for youngsters to develop squamous cell carcinoma, cancer that develops in the flat, thin cells lining the interior of the mouth. Both benign and malignant oral cavity cancers need to be treated since they might make it difficult to eat or speak.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer in Children?

The most significant symptoms of oral cancer are:

• A prolonged and unhealed mouth sore.

• Thickening, swelling, or a lump in the mouth, jaw, or neck.

• A white or red spot on the tongue, gums, or mouth lining.

• Soreness or bleeding in the mouth.

• Difficulty in swallowing.

However, it's crucial to remember that these symptoms may also signify a variety of other oral health issues besides oral cancer. Therefore, taking the child to the dentist is advisable if any of these symptoms are present. Moreover, benign (non-cancerous) tumors may form in patients and necessitate surgical removal. In any event, a dentist should monitor the child's dental health to catch and treat any conditions early.

How to Diagnose Oral Cancer in Children?

The diagnosis of oral cancer is based on the following:

• Physical and Oral Examination: The medical professional or dentist will use a gloved finger to feel the entire inside of the mouth before using a small, long-handled mirror with lighting or fiber optic equipment to examine the oral cavity. The top, bottom, and sides of the tongue will also be discussed, along with the insides of the cheeks and lips, the gums, the roof and floor of the mouth, and the cheeks. It will be felt for enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

• X-Ray: An X-ray is a form of energy beam that can photograph the organ's interior by passing through it and onto film to detect the abnormality within the bone.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): It is also known as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). A method that employs a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to generate a sequence of detailed photos of parts of the body, such as the head and neck. MRI scans to diagnose a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors.

• CT Scan (CAT Scan): A process that produces a number of fine-grained images of internal body parts, such as the head or neck, obtained from various angles. An X-ray machine and a computer are connected to create the images. A dye may be ingested or injected into a vein to make the organs or tissues more visible. This process is also known as computerized axial, computed, and tomography.

• PET Scan: The body's malignant tumor cells can be located with a PET scan (positron emission tomography). A vein receives a tiny injection of radioactive glucose (sugar). The PET scanner spins around the body to provide an image of the areas of the body where glucose is being utilized. Since malignant tumor cells are more active and absorb more glucose than healthy cells, they appear brighter in the image.

• Biopsy: A biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues to evaluate the malignant cells. It is distinguished into two methods:

1. Fine-Needle Aspiration Technique: A thin needle is used in a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to remove tissue or fluid.

2. Incisional Biopsy: The excision of a portion of a lump or a sample of tissue that appears abnormal is known as an incisional biopsy.

What Are the Treatment Options for Oral Cancer?

Children with cancer of the mouth might get a variety of treatments. A group of clinicians with experience treating pediatric cancer should arrange the treatment for children who have cancer of the oral cavity.

There are three categories of conventional treatment:

• Surgery: Complete removal of abnormal malignant tissue.

• Chemotherapy: It employs medications to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from growing. These medications can be taken orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously.

• Radiation Therapy: High-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation are used in radiation therapy, a cancer treatment, to kill or stop cancer cells' growth. A piece of equipment outside the body is used in external radiation therapy to direct radiation toward the cancerous part of the body.

Conclusion:

One significant tumor that may cause severe challenges in infants and toddlers is an oral tumor. The most important aspect in managing oral tumors is early diagnosis, which can help to enhance clinical outcomes and effectively treat infants with oral tumors. Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery are some of the therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of oral tumors.