Common Types of Oral Cancer
Just like other parts of the human body, the mouth also comprises of various types of cells. Therefore, the oral cancer type that a patient is diagnosed with largely depends on the cells from where the cancer began. To diagnose the right type of oral cancer, an extensive staging and diagnosis procedure is followed by the doctors. Determining the oral cancer type also plays an important role in deciding the type and course of the treatment. Given below are the most common types of oral cancer: 1. Squamous cell carcinoma Over 90 percent of cancers that affect the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinoma. The squamous cells are usually found in the throat and mouth lining. Under a microscope, these cells look flat and appear to be like fish scales. The squamous cell carcinoma develops in the oral cavity when some of the squamous cells mutate or become abnormal. This oral cancer type usually develops on those parts of the body that are more exposed to the sun. This can include the ears, neck, and face. 2. Verrucous carcinoma This is a relatively less common type of oral cancer that accounts for only 5% of oral cancer cases. This type of cancer does not grow quickly and is made of squamous cells.