Oropharyngeal neoplasms are one of the most frequently diagnosed neoplasms in Poland. Despite this, they are rarely recognized in the early stages of development. For this reason, Poland is at the forefront of the countries with the highest mortality rate for patients suffering from cancer of the mouth and throat. What are the causes of this type of cancer? What are the risk factors for developing mouth and throat cancer?

Oropharyngeal neoplasmsbelong to the group of head and neck cancers. Of the cancers of the oral cavity, cancer of the tongue (more than half of the cases) and lip cancer are most often diagnosed. The most commonly diagnosed type of throat cancer is laryngeal cancer, a cancer of the lower throat that, according to studies, accounts for 40 percent of all cancers in the head and neck. Laryngeal cancer is also the second most common cancer of the respiratory tract, after lung cancer. Cancer of the cavity and the oropharynx (middle pharynx), less often nasopharyngeal cancer (upper pharynx) are also often diagnosed.

Oropharyngeal cancer - causes

Cancer of the mouth and throat is caused by smoking and alcohol abuse. The development of both cancers is also influenced by the weakening of the body as a result of immunosuppressive treatment (e.g. after transplantation) or HIV infection. Improper diet, which leads to a deficiency of vitamins (mainly vitamins A, C, vitamin B group) and minerals, is also one of the risk factors for the development of the disease. Age and gender also play an important role -oral canceris most often diagnosed in people aged 50 to 70, and throat cancer in people over 40. In both cases, it is more common in men than in women.

Important

People aged 18 to 39 are at increased risk - they are sexually active, mainly those who have oral sex and have more than six sexual partners. Then the risk of infection with HPV 16/18 virus, which causes cancer of the mouth and throat in young people, increases.

Oral cancer - other causes

In the case of oral cancer, additional risk factors for developing the disease are:

  • poor oral hygiene
  • irritation of the membraneoral mucosa (e.g. through a mismatched prosthesis, incorrect prosthetic restorations or chronic inflammation)
  • inhalation of chemicals or wood dust (may contribute to the development of jaw cancer)
  • sunlight (for lower lip cancer)
  • lesions and precancerous conditions in the oral cavity where cancer may develop

Throat cancer - other causes

For throat cancer, exposure to chemicals such as inhalation of asbestos dust or mineral oil fumes is a risk factor for developing the disease. Diseases of the larynx and sinuses also contribute to the development of cancer. Pre-cancerous changes are also a significant risk factor.

Category:

Oncology