Cancer is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells which invades and destructs the surrounding wherever it occurs. Men are more prone to oral cancer than women.
Oral cancer or cancer of mouth should be suspected when an ulcer or growth does not subside after few weeks. The structures involved in oral cancer are the tongue, lips, inner portion of cheeks, floor of mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and pharynx. If not detected early, oral cancer can become life threatening.
Symptoms Of Cancer In The Mouth
- Grayish white ulcer inside the cheeks, lips, buccal cavity which is not painful and bleeds easily on touch and persists for more than two weeks.
- Swelling and lump formation over the lips or on the gum which is usually not painful.
- Presence of enlarged and palpable lymph nodes.
- Bleeding from mouth without any reason.
- Hair like sensation on the tongue.
- Numbness and loss of sensation in mouth.
- Difficulty in movement of jaw, tongue, opening of mouth.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Hoarse voice with chronic sore throat.
- Weight loss.
- Mild raised body temperature.
Causes Of Oral Cancer
- People smoking cigarettes, pipe, cigars are at a greater risk of developing oral cancer than non smokers.
- Chewing tobacco or using snuff is 50 times at a greater risk of developing cancer of gums, lips and lining of oral cavity.
- Carcinoma of cheek is especially common where betel nut is chewed and betel leaf is stored in the cheek pouch.
- Alcoholics are at a greater risk than non alcoholics.
- Family history of cancer.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Oral Cancer
Diagnosis of oral cancer is confirmed by a biopsy of non healing ulcer in the mouth, or by endoscopy for detecting cancer in the throat and MRI scan.
Once diagnosed, your doctor will determine the stage of the oral cancer before planning the line of treatment.
Treatment: Oral cancer is treated in the same way as other cancer treatments; Surgical removal of the growth followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
You can prevent oral cancer to a great extent by not smoking and not chewing tobacco products.
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Oral cancer affects lips, tongue, cheek, base of mouth, throat etc. There are many symptoms seen like swelling, red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, difficulty in chewing, loss in weight etc. Lot of smoking and drinking are the major causes of oral cancer. Proper diet is very much necessary for curing oral cancer.