Cancer of the mouth or oral cancer is the most common cancer in men (11.28% of all cancers) and the fifth most common cancer among women (4.3% of all cancers) and the third most common cancer in both men and women. Is. Oral cancer is also known as oral cancer and it is caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells of the mouth which includes the tongue, lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth, sinus and throat.
Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, on the tongue, lips, inside of the cheeks, on the upper or lower surface of the mouth, and on the salivary glands. Its symptoms are not visible in the initial days but gradually it increases. For those who have cancer, the complete information about oral cancer is given below.
Mouth Growth : Most mouth growths are noncancerous. Warts, yeast infections, and repeated trauma (such as biting or rubbing against a sharp tooth edge) are common causes of noncancerous growths. Use of alcohol and tobacco and oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are risk factors for oral cancer. Below we will know more about oral cancer, oral cancer symptoms, causes, stages and treatment.
What is Mouth Cancer or Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of cancer of the throat and head and is often treated in the same way as them. Men are more likely to develop mouth cancer than women, and it often strikes people after the age of 40. Oral cancer is detected when it spreads in the lymph nodes of your neck. It spreads and if oral cancer is detected at the right time, then the risk of life is less.
Oral cancer includes the following :
• Lip cancer
• Tongue cancer
• Cancer in the inner part of the cheek
• Gum cancer
• Cancer of the lower part of the mouth
You should go to your dentist as soon as you see the symptoms of oral cancer. According to the dentist, get your oral checkup done by your dentist at least twice a year. Let us know more about its symptoms, danger, its stages.
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Symptoms of Oral Cancer
In the early stages of oral cancer, it is not detected, nor does it show any symptoms, but people who smoke or drink alcohol on a daily basis should keep checking their mouth with their dentist from time to time. The main symptoms of mouth cancer or oral cancer are as follows-
• Non-healing ulcer on the lip or mouth
• Enlargement of any part of the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Loose teeth
• Pain in the mouth or difficulty swallowing
• Sudden lump in the neck
• Pain in ear
• Sudden weight loss
• Numbness of the lips, face, neck, or chin
• Red and white patches in the mouth or lips
• Sore throat
• Dry mouth
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Pain in the tongue
Although the presence of these symptoms does not mean that you have oral cancer, but you must check with your dentist and keep getting the checkup done from time to time after taking advice. Some of these symptoms, such as sore throat or ear pain, can also indicate another disease.
Causes For Oral Cancer
• Smoking
Smoking is the most common cause of oral cancer and people who smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes have the highest risk of oral cancer.
• Consumption of Tobacco
If you say tobacco in any form, then it can also become a major cause of oral cancer.
• Drinking Alcohol in excess.
• Family history can also Increase the Risk of Oral Cancer.
Stages For Oral Cancer
The stages of oral cancer increase in this way-
Stage 1:
In this stage the tumor is less than 1 inch and has not spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 2:
The tumor has grown beyond 1 to 2 inches and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 3:
In this stage the tumor grows up to about 2 inches but does not spread or it does not grow more than 1 inch but spreads to the nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4:
In this stage, the cancer has spread to the mouth and cancer has affected the tissues around the mouth, lips, and possibly nearby lymph nodes; Or it spreads to the rest of the body.
The stages of cancer tell how it can be treated as well as how likely it is to be cured.
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Treatment For Oral Cancer
Some of the common treatments for oral cancer are as follows:
1. Surgery
In this procedure, an operation is required to remove the tumor from the entire mouth. The place where there is a tumor can be removed easily, so a small incision is made in the neck or jaw. After the tumor is surgically removed, that part of the mouth is reconstructed. In these cases, surgeons may perform pedicle or free flap reconstruction.
2. Radiation Therapy
In radiation therapy, radiation therapy is used to treat the area of the mouth where cancer has spread and to spread healthy tissue over it. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy are two of the most common types of radiation therapy used to treat oral cancer.
3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, often combined with radiation therapy, is used to destroy cancer cells throughout the body and cancer is removed using anticancer drugs. Cancer cells are destroyed at different stages by combining different chemotherapy drugs.
4. Targeted Drug Therapy
Targeted drug therapy directly hits the cancer cells to kill them at their root and prevent cancer cells from growing. This therapy can be used along with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to treat oral cancer.
Important Facts About Oral Cancer
• About 80% of oral cancer cases are due to tobacco use alone.
• The average age of getting oral cancer is 50 years.
• The rates of oral cancer are much higher in men than in women and these rates increase with age.
• If the symptoms of mouth cancer are identified and treated in the beginning itself, then your chances of survival increase by 82%.
• If it is identified and treated in the advanced stage, then the survival rate is up to 27%.
As soon as the symptoms of oral cancer appear, the dentist should be seen immediately and it should be treated properly without delay. It is often seen that Indian people do not take special care of oral health, due to which they have to face a lot of mouth related diseases.
How to Prevent Oral Cancer?
The biggest reason for oral cancer is the consumption of Gutkha and Tobacco. In such a situation, if you want to prevent oral cancer, then stay away from tobacco from today itself. Along with this, if someone in your family has oral cancer, then get yourself checked from time to time. So that the chances of getting oral cancer can be reduced. Apart from this, also pay attention to your diet and lifestyle.
Oral cancer can be a very serious problem. To avoid such a situation, stay away from things like Tobacco, Smoking and Gutkha. Along with this, if you are feeling any kind of problem around the mouth, then consult a doctor.
(Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is just to wake you up for your health purpose. Out intension is not to mislead or It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always contact your doctor for more details.)
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