What Are the Symptoms of Palate Cancer?
Palate cancer can form in the back, "soft palate" region of the mouth's roof or in the front, "hard palate" region. In either case, early detection of the disease is imperative for improving treatment options. Many of the symptoms for this type of mouth cancer are hard to detect, since early tumors are not painful. Some symptoms such as persistent bad breath, mouth lesions, and loose teeth can usually be an indication of the cancer.
Spotting the early symptoms of palate cancer takes preemptive measures. It may reveal itself in a foul odor in the breath that is not much diminished after brushing. Also, a non-painful white or red lesion might appear on the roof of the mouth and not go away. White lesions are called leukoplakia, while the red ones are called erythroplakia; both are potential precursors to cancerous tissue.
The teeth might feel a little loose, too, in the early stages. If the patient wears dentures, he or she may notice discomfort where none existed before. Teeth will feel looser as the disease progresses. It also may become progressively harder to swallow.
As with many cancers, the symptoms of palate cancer become intensified and more noticeable if not caught in the earliest of stages. The mouth may become difficult to open, a condition called trismus. Speech patterns may change, and some words may become hard to pronounce.
Any lesions found in later stages are more apt to be raw and possibly bleeding. Teeth may start to fall out completely at this stage, and overall skin swelling in the front or rear palates could occur. Later-stage lesions will be easy to spot, because by this point they are likely to hurt, especially when touched. Some are so pronounced that a lump may protrude from somewhere along the neck.
Many scientists point the finger at tobacco and alcohol consumption as prominent risk factors for developing soft palate cancer. Cedar-Sinai Medical Center blames "reverse smoking" for contributing to hard palate cancers; this is a process of placing the lit end of a cigarette in the mouth, instead of the other way around. Genetics and environmental influences can also factor in as risks.
Once a few symptoms are noticed, patients should visit a doctor. A variety of tests, from PET and CT scans to a orthopantomography, are designed to help physicians gauge the extent of tumor growth. Once diagnosed, the cancer is treated with radiation therapy and surgery to remove any tumors.
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![Sufferers of palate cancer may experience loose teeth.]()
By: Laurin RinderSufferers of palate cancer may experience loose teeth. -
![Smoking and drinking alcohol may contribute to the development of palate cancer.]()
By: Maurizio MilanesioSmoking and drinking alcohol may contribute to the development of palate cancer. -
![A CT scan may be performed to diagnose palate cancer.]()
By: Monkey BusinessA CT scan may be performed to diagnose palate cancer. -
![Palate cancer can affect the hard or soft palate of the upper mouth.]()
By: snapgalleriaPalate cancer can affect the hard or soft palate of the upper mouth. -
![Sufferers of palate cancer may find it difficult to swallow.]()
By: nebariSufferers of palate cancer may find it difficult to swallow. -
![Surgery is sometimes necessary for someone suffering with palate cancer.]()
By: Tyler OlsonSurgery is sometimes necessary for someone suffering with palate cancer. -
![Chronic bad breath may be a sign of palate cancer.]()
By: Gina SandersChronic bad breath may be a sign of palate cancer. -
![Cancer can form in the soft and hard palate regions of the mouth.]()
By: yanmingzhangCancer can form in the soft and hard palate regions of the mouth.
Discussion Comments
Even though we know the harm of smoking, quitting can be tough. If you want to have a better chance of quitting you need to figure out why you smoke. People smoke for different reasons, so they need different methods of stopping the habit.
I knew plenty of people when I was in school who only smoked when they were partying or drinking. This type of habit is generally easier to quit than a habit that involves smoking to reduce stress. But once you find the causes you are on the right track to quitting for good and hopefully avoiding palate cancer and all of the other health problems that smoking leads to.
I know a couple of people who are using the new vapor cigarettes to cut back on smoking regular cigarettes because they are afraid of the various cancers such as mouth and throat cancer and of course lung cancer that can be caused by smoking cigarettes for a long time.
These people say that the smokeless cigarettes are not the same, but they give you something to hold in your hand and put in your mouth. Neither of them have been able to completely quit smoking cigarettes, but they have both cut back on how many they smoke, which can't hurt.
My friend's father smoked his entire life. I guess he never thought about the harm he might be doing to his body. Then again, maybe he couldn't stop or maybe he thought smoking was worth the risk. In any event, he got mouth cancer and he eventually had to use one of the artificial throat boxes to speak.
He had noticed some of the symptoms early on, but he ignored them and by the time he went to the doctor he was in really bad condition because the cancer was spreading. Even after all of that, he still smoked until the day he died.
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