Do you have cancer of the soft part of your mouth? (Soft Palate Cancer) Let's be aware of this!

Have you ever wondered about the soft, fleshy part of your mouth, behind the roof of your mouth? That's what we call the 'soft palate'. Sometimes, just like anywhere else in our body, cancer cells can develop in this soft palate. Today we're going to talk about this 'Soft Palate Cancer'. Although it may sound a little scary when you hear this, if you are aware of it, you can recognize the symptoms early and seek treatment.

What is Soft Palate Cancer?

Simply put, the soft palate is the soft part at the back of the roof of your mouth. To be precise, it is the soft, movable part where the bony, hard part of your roof of your mouth ends and goes down to the throat. When cancer develops in this area, it is called soft palate cancer.

This is actually a type of cancer that occurs in the throat. Doctors classify it as `(Oropharynegal Cancer)`. Most of the time, this cancer develops from a type of cell called `(Squamous Cell Carcinoma - SCC)`. These `(Squamous)` cells are a type of flat cell that covers the inside of our mouth and throat. For some reason, these cells divide abnormally, uncontrollably, and multiply rapidly, forming cancerous tumors.

Is this a common cancer?

Now you might be wondering how common this is. In fact, it's not a very common cancer . For example, in a country like the United States, there are about 53,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancer reported each year, and between 5% and 12% of them are soft palate cancers. That means that roughly between 2,000 and 6,000 people develop this condition each year. This is a low number of cases compared to things like lung cancer.

However, even though it is not common, it is not a good idea to ignore this. Because if someone develops it, it can be a serious condition. Fortunately, this cancer can often be detected before it spreads to other parts of the body. Then it is easy to treat by surgically removing the tumor.

What are the symptoms of soft palate cancer?

So, how do we recognize the symptoms of soft tissue cancer? Be careful if you have any of these:

• A sore on the back of the roof of the mouth, called the soft palate. This sore can be painful, may bleed, and may not heal for a while.
• It's like a white spot in the mouth, and it doesn't go away after a while. It can sometimes turn red.
• Bad breath (Halitosis) is a condition that occurs when you brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. If this odor does not go away, you should be concerned.
• Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia). It may feel like food or drink is stuck in the throat, or you may feel pain when swallowing.
• A lump in the neck. You may feel something like a small lump in your neck. These could be swollen lymph nodes.
• Difficulty opening the mouth (Trismus). You may feel a tightness in the jaw area, as if you are unable to open your mouth wide.
• A persistent sore throat (Pharyngitis). Unlike a common cold, this sore throat should not be ignored if it lasts for weeks.
• Ear pain. Sometimes you may experience ear pain, especially on one side only.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor immediately and get checked out.

How does soft palate cancer look?

What does this cancer look like? It may appear as a white patch , a red sore , or a small lump on your soft palate. The soft palate is the soft, fleshy part of your throat that ends at the bony hard part of your mouth. It's the part that's in front of the uvula, which is like a little tongue hanging down your throat.

Why does this soft palate cancer develop?

Most of the time, this soft palate cancer is caused by the previously mentioned type of cell called `(Squamous Cell Carcinoma - SCC)`. These cells are found inside our mouth and on the inside of our throat like a lining. For some reason, the genetic material of these healthy cells changes (mutates), they become cancer cells, divide rapidly and grow without control, forming tumors.

Doctors have found that there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing this cancer. They are:

• Excessive use of tobacco, especially cigarettes. Many people in our country are addicted to this. It is really dangerous. The chemicals in tobacco damage the cells of the mouth and throat, increasing the risk of cancer.
• Drinking alcoholic beverages frequently and excessively. Drinking a little at parties and celebrations is a different story, but drinking alcohol regularly and excessively is not a good thing. The risk is even greater if you drink alcohol while smoking.

Is the human papillomavirus (HPV) involved?

Yes, that can also be a factor. You may have heard of the virus called `(Human Papillomavirus - HPV)`. Medical research has found that HPV infections also increase the risk of developing throat cancer, that is, cancer of the soft palate. In particular, HPV type 16 is the one most associated with this. So it is important to be aware of this as well.

What are the complications of soft tissue cancer?

What happens if this cancer is not treated? The most dangerous thing is that this cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. For example, it can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, lungs, and liver. Once it spreads, it becomes very difficult to treat and can be life-threatening.

How is this cancer diagnosed? (Diagnosis)

Okay, if you have symptoms like these, how exactly does a doctor diagnose this?

First, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms. For example:

• Since when did you notice this injury or change in your skin?
• Is the wound getting bigger? Is it bleeding? Does it hurt?
• Is it difficult to swallow? Is food getting stuck?
• Do you get things like a swollen neck or a lump in your hand?
• Do you have ear pain? (This is a common symptom of throat cancer).

Then they will ask about your habits. Do you use tobacco (cigarettes, beedis, cigars, smokeless tobacco), do you drink alcohol, etc. They will also use a small mirror or a light to examine your soft palate and the inside of your mouth. They will also feel your neck for any swelling.

What kind of tests are done?

To be sure, you can do the following tests:

• Biopsy: This is the most important part. This means that a small piece of tissue is taken from the lesion or lump under anesthesia and examined under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is done by medical laboratory specialists.
• CT scan: This can help determine the size of the cancer, how far it has spread to surrounding tissue, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes in the neck.
• MRI scan: Sometimes an MRI scan may be done in addition to or instead of a CT scan. This can also produce detailed images of the tumor and surrounding tissue.
• PET scan: This test may be used to see if the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.

Cancer Stages

Once cancer is confirmed, doctors determine its 'stage'. This is how far the cancer has spread and how serious it is. This determines what kind of treatment you should receive.

Soft palate cancer is also a type of throat cancer. It is staged from stage I (best outcome, small tumor, not spread) to stage IV (worst outcome, large tumor, very spread). This stage is determined by the size of the tumor (T), whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes (Lymph Nodes) (N), whether it has spread to distant sites (Metastasis) (M), and whether HPV is involved. This is also called the TNM Staging System.

When you hear about the stage of your cancer, you may feel scared, anxious, or overwhelmed. It may feel like your illness is being summarized in a few letters and numbers. That's normal. Doctors understand that too. If there's something you don't understand or are worried about, be sure to ask your doctor to explain it to you.

How is soft palate cancer treated?

How is it treated? Doctors will decide the best treatment based on many factors, including the stage of the cancer and your overall health. There are several main treatment options:

• Surgery: In most cases, especially for early-stage cancers, the tumor is completely removed surgically. Sometimes, a minimally invasive procedure called Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is used. This allows for faster healing without any external incisions. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, they may also need to be removed surgically (called a neck dissection).
• Radiation Therapy: This uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It may be given as the first treatment for large tumors or when they have spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. It may also be given to kill any cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
• Chemotherapy: This involves giving the body drugs that kill cancer cells. These drugs travel throughout the body, so they are especially important if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Sometimes, they are given together with radiation therapy (chemoradiation), which can improve the results of the treatment.
• Chemoradiation: As the name suggests, this is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is used when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body. This increases the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Reconstructive Surgery: After the tumor is removed, you may need to have additional surgery to restore the area to its original shape. If a large part of your soft palate is removed, you may need to have a prosthetic device put in its place. This is called a Soft Palate Obturator. This is similar to a retainer that you wear when you have braces. This makes it easier to swallow and speak.
• Psychotherapy: Living with cancer and undergoing treatment can be very difficult mentally. Some people find it difficult to adjust to the changes in their bodies after these treatments. If you have to have a prosthetic device, you may feel embarrassed and anxious about it. You may feel depressed about your situation. If that is the case for you, psychotherapy can be a great help. It will give you the strength to face this challenge.

What complications can arise from treatment?

Your soft palate helps you swallow and speak. So surgery and radiation therapy for this cancer may make it harder for you to swallow and speak as before. You may also experience dry mouth, changes in taste, and difficulty opening your mouth. However, there are solutions for this too. Working with a speech therapist and a dietitian can help you overcome many of these difficulties.

Can this cancer be prevented?

It may not be possible to completely prevent it, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding some of the things that increase your risk.

• If you smoke cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco (beedis, cigars, chewing tobacco), try to quit today. It's not easy, but it's the biggest investment you'll make in your life. Talk to a doctor and find out about programs that can help you.
• If you are a regular drinker, limit the amount and frequency of your drinking. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, meaning you are having trouble controlling it, seek help from a doctor.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables. This can also help keep your body's immune system at a good level.
• Protect yourself from HPV. HPV infection increases your risk. You can reduce your risk of HPV infection by getting the HPV vaccine (especially for young people) and avoiding high-risk sexual behaviors, such as unprotected oral sex and unprotected sex.
• See a dentist regularly so that you can detect any unusual changes in your mouth early.

Can this cancer be cured?

It depends on your situation. In the early stages, when a tumor is small and has not spread, doctors can often completely cure it with surgery or radiation therapy. In some cases, cancers that are found late and have spread a little can be cured with a combination of treatments (such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy). So, if you have symptoms, don't panic and see a doctor right away.

What is the survival rate?

These are statistical estimates based on the experiences of others who have had similar conditions. Survival rates for soft tissue cancer vary depending on factors such as the stage of the cancer, HPV status, and the patient's overall health.

Overall, studies have shown that between 75% and 100% of people with early-stage (Stage I or II) cancers are alive five years after diagnosis. That’s a very good outcome. Of those with large, widespread (Stage III or IV) tumors, between 33% and 47% are alive five years later. HPV-related cancers have also been found to be more likely to be successfully treated than non-HPV-related cancers.

When thinking about these survival rates, it's important to remember that these are what happened to other people . These are just averages. Your condition, your response to treatment, and your body's strength all affect your recovery. Your doctor is the best person to give you information about this.

How do I take care of myself after treatment?

People with soft palate cancer need help eating and speaking after surgery and other treatments. Your doctor, speech therapist, and dietitian can help you manage these side effects, improve your speech, and improve your eating habits.

• Some people continue to smoke despite undergoing surgery and other treatments. If that is the case, you should definitely seek help from your doctor to quit. Smoking, even after you have beaten cancer, can increase the risk of the cancer coming back.
• Go to follow-up clinics as scheduled. Get tests done as directed by the doctors.
• Stay mentally strong. Talk to family and friends. Seek counseling if necessary.

What questions should you ask your doctor?

When you see the doctor, ask all your questions. Don't be afraid.

• What stage is this cancer in?
• What treatment do you recommend? Why?
• How successful was that treatment?
• What are the side effects of the treatment? How long do they last?
• Will my speech and swallowing be affected after treatment? What can I do about it?
• Can cancer come back? What should I do to prevent it?
• Should I see a speech therapist or dietitian for help?

Finally, the take-home message

Soft Palate Cancer is a scary word, but it is a treatable condition if you recognize the symptoms early and get the right medical advice and treatment. Remember, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are major risk factors for this. Avoiding them will go a long way in protecting yourself from this type of cancer.

Treatment may affect your ability to speak and swallow. But there are solutions and rehabilitation methods in modern medicine for that too. The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor about everything, and to face treatment with a positive attitude. You are not alone, there are doctors, nurses, therapists and your loved ones to help you.

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