Have you ever noticed a small lump or bump inside your mouth, perhaps in your genital area, or on your soles of your feet? Sometimes we may not pay much attention to these things. We may think, "Oh, it's just a small thing," and forget about it. However, sometimes something as small as this can be a sign of a condition that requires a little attention and medical advice. Today we are going to talk about a type of cancer that is a little rare, but it is very important for us all to be aware of. This is called verrucous carcinoma.
What is Verrucous Carcinoma?
Simply put, Verrucous Carcinoma is a type of cancer . To be precise, it belongs to the category of cancer called Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Now you might be wondering what these Squamous cells are. Squamous cells are a special type of cell in our body. These are flat, thin cells. These cells are found in many places like the surface of our skin, the lining of our throat, and the lining of our mouth. So, when these Squamous cells start to grow abnormally, they become cancerous.
Where in the body can this occur?
Verrucous carcinoma most often develops inside the mouth . It is most commonly found in the cells inside the cheeks and lips. It can also develop in the mandibular alveolar crest, where the gums, tongue, and teeth are located.
However, it can occur not only in the mouth, but very rarely in other places as well.
- Genitals: This can occur around the penis in men and the external genital area in women.
- Soles: Yes, don't be surprised, sometimes verrucous carcinoma can develop on the soles of the feet as well.
So, if it develops in the mouth, doctors treat it as oral cancer . If it develops on the soles of the feet, it is treated as skin cancer and managed.
What is the difference between normal `(Squamous Cell Carcinoma)` and `(Verrucous Carcinoma)`?
Now you might be wondering, if it's just a `(Squamous Cell Carcinoma)`, what's so special about this `(Verrucous Carcinoma)`. Verrucous Carcinoma `(Verrucous Carcinoma)` is a special subtype of `(Squamous Cell Carcinoma)` (we'll call it `(SCC)` for short). In this, the pattern of cancer cells growing is a little different from other `(SCC)`. Also, it usually grows slowly. Another important thing is that this type of cancer cells have a relatively low ability to spread (metastasize) to distant organs . That's a bit of a relief, isn't it?
Who is at higher risk of developing this?
This condition, called Verrucous Carcinoma, is reported to be most common in men between the ages of 40 and 60. Also, people with certain habits and conditions are at higher risk of developing it.
- For those who eat betel nuts: Some people in our country, especially men, eat betel nuts all day long, along with areca palm seeds. This has become a habit. However, eating betel nuts frequently, especially when taken with tobacco, increases the risk of developing oral cancer. This is also a major risk factor for verrucous carcinoma.
- For those who drink alcohol: Alcohol use is also related to this.
- For smokers: Things like smoking cigarettes and smoking beedis.
- Smokeless tobacco users: People who use tobacco products that are held in the mouth, such as chewing tobacco or snus, are also at increased risk.
In addition, sometimes verrucous carcinoma can also occur in areas where there is long-term skin irritation or scarring .
How common is this `(Verrucous Carcinoma)`? Are there other names?
Verrucous Carcinoma is actually a very rare type of cancer . A survey conducted in the United States found that between 1973 and 2015, only about 2,000 people per 100,000 had developed this condition in the mouth.
There is another name for this, which is Ackerman's tumor . So if a doctor mentions this name, don't worry, it is also about Verrucous Carcinoma.
What does this look like? What are the symptoms?
This develops very slowly , so you may not notice anything or any difference at first.
You might see things like this:
- Red or white patches may appear inside the mouth, in the genital area, or on the soles of the feet.
- A small wound (lesion) may appear. This may not heal for some time.
- A papillary tumor, which looks like a cauliflower, may develop. This is a special feature of this condition.
The most important thing is, if you notice anything unusual, such as a sore that won't heal, or a new lump in your mouth, genitals, or soles, don't ignore it. It's wise to see a doctor and get checked out rather than just assuming, "It'll get better on its own."
What causes Verrucous Carcinoma? Is it contagious?
As we have discussed before, this occurs when cells called ``squamous cells'' start to grow abnormally. These cells are found in places like our skin, mouth, nose, rectum, and cervix. Cancer occurs when the ``DNA'' of these cells is damaged for some reason (for example, tobacco use, certain viral infections) and they start to divide uncontrollably.
The good news is that Verrucous Carcinoma is not a contagious disease . This means that it cannot be spread from one person to another through touch or any other means.
How do doctors recognize this?
When you see a doctor with symptoms like that, the first thing he or she does is give you a thorough physical examination . He or she will look closely at the location of the lesion or tumor and its appearance. Then, he or she will ask you about your symptoms, your medical history (such as other illnesses, medications, etc.), and your lifestyle (such as smoking and alcohol consumption).
Next, to confirm exactly what this is, the main test that doctors do is a biopsy .
- Biopsy: This involves removing a small piece of the abnormal tissue (lesion/tumor) under anesthesia and sending it to a laboratory. There, a specialist doctor (pathologist) looks at it under a microscope to determine whether the cells are cancer cells and, if so, what type of cancer it is. In the case of Verrucous Carcinoma, this pathology report is very important.
Depending on the location of the lesion, the doctor may perform several more tests if there is any doubt as to whether the cancer has spread.
- CT scan
- MRI scan `(MRI)`
- In the female genital area, tests such as colposcopy or Pap smear may also be performed.
How is it treated? Can it be cured?
The main treatment for verrucous carcinoma is surgery to completely remove the tumor . In most cases, this is the only way to cure the disease.
However, if the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues, or if there are multiple lesions, the doctor may recommend other treatments.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is rarely given as the first treatment for verrucous carcinoma. However, depending on the location of the cancer, it may be given as an additional treatment after surgery.
- Chemotherapy or other systemic therapies: These may include things like targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
- Cryotherapy: Destroying cancer cells using extreme cold.
- Laser therapy: Removing cancer using laser beams.
Your doctor will discuss with you and decide which treatment method is best for you.
Can it be cured?
Yes, most of the time, this cancer, called Verrucous Carcinoma, spreads very rarely to distant organs beyond the site of origin. Therefore, after the cancer is completely removed through surgery, most people recover completely . Therefore, if recognized early and treated properly, this is a curable disease.
What complications can occur?
The biggest problem with this is that some people, even if they see a sore or lump in their mouth, on their bottom, or in their genital area, think it's not that serious and don't tell a doctor. If treatment is delayed, the Verrucous Carcinoma has the opportunity to spread further and get worse .
In particular, if a verrucous carcinoma of the sole is left untreated, it can rarely spread to the underlying bone , making treatment even more complicated.
So, I repeat, if you see any unusual lumps or sores in your mouth, genital area, or soles of your feet, see a doctor immediately .
How to reduce the risk?
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing verrucous carcinoma:
- Avoid tobacco products completely: Stop smoking cigarettes, beedis, and cigars. Stop using chewing tobacco, chewing tobacco with a stick, etc. Vaping is also not good.
- Limit your alcohol intake: Reduce it as much as possible, or even better, stop it completely.
- Take care of your skin: Check your skin regularly. If you notice any unusual lesions, spots, or lumps, pay attention to them. If you have chronic skin irritations, get them treated properly.
Could this situation happen again?
Yes, sometimes verrucous carcinoma can recur after treatment . If this happens, your doctor will discuss the appropriate treatment options for you. Therefore, it is very important to have follow-up tests at the scheduled times, even after treatment, as directed by your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
This is probably very clear to you now.
If you notice a new lump, swelling, non-healing sore, or white/red spot in your mouth (inside your cheeks, tongue, gums), genital area, or soles of your feet, see a doctor immediately without delay.
How do you cope well with this situation?
It's normal for anyone to be scared when they hear the word cancer. But, remember, verrucous carcinoma is a cancer that is largely curable , especially if detected early.
- Trust your doctor and follow the treatment plan he gives you exactly.
- Stay away from tobacco products completely.
- Limit alcohol.
- Stay strong. You are not alone. Your family, friends, and doctors will help you.
Summary (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so I hope you now have a better understanding of the Verrucous Carcinoma we talked about today.
The main things to remember are:
- Verrucous Carcinoma is a type of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a slow-growing, rare cancer.
- Although they most often occur in the mouth, they can also occur on the genitals and soles of the feet.
- Tobacco use, spicy foods, and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors.
- If recognized and treated early, the chances of recovery are very high.
- If you notice anything unusual in your mouth, genital area, or soles of your feet, seek medical advice immediately.
It's your responsibility to take care of your health. Being aware of information like this will help you recognize things before they become a big problem.
Verrucous Carcinoma, Cancer, Oral Cancer, Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Tobacco, Betel
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