Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is described as a cancer of head and neck. It can affect any part of the mouth like tongue, cheeks, lips, hard palate, soft palate, floor of the tongue, internal lining of the cheeks, gums, lymph nodes etc. the most common form of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma which affects the flat skin like the lining of the mouth. 90% mouth cancer patients have been detected with this form of mouth cancer.
There are other types of oral cancers affecting different areas of the mouth like the salivary gland cancer affecting the saliva producing gland, lymphoma which is caused in lymph around the tonsils and base of tongue and melanoma affecting the skin pigmentation cells around the mouth and lips.
Causes of Oral Cancer
The causes of oral cancer are many and can't be restricted to anything in particular. Few leading causes of an oral tumor are smoking (cigarettes, pipe, hand rolled cigarettes like bidis or the one containing cannabis), alcohol, chewing tobacco, beetle nut, gutka or pan, UV rays from the sun which affect lips or pale skin and at times previous cancer which might reoccur. Other probable causes are poor dietary habits lacking essentially zinc, vitamin A, C, E, selenium .infection from HPV (human papilloma virus) which infects vulva, vagina, and cervix.
Signs and Symptoms
- A sore that does not repair
- A lump or else thickening of the skin or else lining of your mouth
- A white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Poorly fitting dentures
- Tongue pain
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Difficult or else painful chewing
- Difficult or else painful swallowing
- Sore throat
- Feeling that something is caught in your throat
Treatment
After mouth cancer has been established using X- Rays, MRI scan, endoscopy, CT scan, and a biopsy confirms the multiplicity of cells then the medical practitioner in Fallbrook suggests treatment based on the physical state and age of the patient, extent of infection and location of disease. Radiotherapy has commonly used a method where radiation is used to destroy the cancerous cell in the affected area. At times, surgery is performed to insert radioactive pellets in or around the tumor which gradually kills the infected cells.
Surgery is another method used to remove the tumor from the infected area. It may be performed before or after radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is another treatment used for destroying cancerous cells. Anti harmful drugs are used to shrink the tumor and later on surgery is performed to remove the infection. Period of therapy and the strength of the medicine are dependent on the extent of disease.
Oral cancer is very common and can be avoided by taking care of one's lifestyle. Excessive intake of alcohol and cigarettes etc. should be prevented. Chewing of tobacco should be strictly avoided, and nutritious food should be incorporated in the daily diet. After all, health is wealth.
If you are being treated for cancer or are taking common cancer medications for treatment, it is ideal to consult with your Dentist in Fallbrook if you begin to experience constant dry mouth symptoms. This is crucial as this kind of condition could worsen over time, and when they get severe, the symptoms are likely to cause potential infections from the cracked lips or open sores. In some cases, though, doctors can offer other medications that could not lead to these painful side effects, or they might provide treatment for dry mouth that could help you get rid of the problem. Symptoms of dry mouth may range from a mere nuisance to a severe health problem. Contact us today to make an appointment for an evaluation.
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