Oral cancer includes cancers that develop on the inside of the mouth, tonsils or the back of the salivary glands, usually on the lower lip. The floor of the mouth and tongue are the most common sites. Almost all originate from the mucosa, the multilayered squamous epithelial cells that cover the mouth, tongue and lips. Cancers are in the specialty of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and neck doctors.
It is about 2 times more common in men than in women. In order to diagnose it early, regular checks should be done and the person should not delay the doctor and dentist examination.
What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
Stains or sores of different colors can be seen in the mouth and on the lips. These spots can be red or white in color. White spots are known as "leukoplakia". The risk of cancer is higher in red and white spots.
Symptoms of oral cancer can be listed as follows:
- Wounds around the mouth and lips that do not heal
- Wounds that cause recurrent bleeding
- Unexplained tooth loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling or mass around the neck
- Ear pain
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
There is no definitive scientific data on the occurrence of oral cancers in some people in terms of their lifestyle. However, it is known that it is not contagious. There are also some active substances that can increase the risk of cancer.
Oral cancer risk factors are as follows:
Tobacco
Tobacco, which is the leading cause of almost all oral problems, increases the risk of cancer in long-term and heavy users. Approximately 90 percent of cancer cases are seen in people who use tobacco. In addition, alcohol addiction increases this type of tobacco use.
Alcohol
People who consume alcohol are much more at risk than those who do not. The frequency of consumption is directly proportional to the risk of cancer.
Sun Rays
Exposure to too much sunlight is among the risk factors. In addition, this condition is more common in people who are addicted to tobacco.
Family History of Cancer
A family history of this disease, unhealthy and poor nutrition, poor lifestyles and health problems increase the risk. The risk increases in individuals who have been treated for head and neck cancer and who continue to smoke. Fractures in the mouth, sharp edges of the prosthesis used, or chronic wounds caused by teeth are also among the risk factors.
How is Oral Cancer Diagnosed?
As with different types of cancer, early diagnosis is vital in this issue. In order to diagnose oral cancer in the early stages, the person should be regularly examined by a dentist and have some check-up examinations.
During the examination, the doctor may check the inside of the mouth, tongue structure, cheeks, gums or the floor of the mouth and lips and may request a biopsy if any abnormalities are detected. The piece taken under local or general anesthesia can be examined in detail and the presence of malignant cells is determined.
If cancer cells are detected, different tests may be performed to determine how far the tumor has spread and whether it has spread to other organs. Radiological imaging such as radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic examination and laboratory tests may be required to determine the course of treatment.
Early diagnosis of oral cancers positively affects the treatment of the disease, and usually 90 percent recovery is achieved in case of early diagnosis.
Oral Cancer Treatment Methods
Oral cancer treatment can be treated with medication when the doctor deems it necessary. In medicated treatments, chemotherapy is usually applied to prevent the increase in cancer cells and drugs are used in this direction.
In some cases, surgical intervention and radiotherapy applications are applied together. The drugs given in chemotherapy treatment may have different side effects. They may have a short-term bad effect on the liver and kidneys. Due to this situation, chemotherapy treatment is more preferred in patients with normal liver and kidney function.
Another effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. However, this is not permanent. Hair grows back and regrows over time after treatment. Stomach problems, nausea and vomiting are common side effects. You may also experience loss of appetite and fatigue. Since chemotherapy drugs can weaken the immune system, the person may get some infectious diseases. Therefore, it is a type of treatment that requires caution.
Surgery
If the tumor spreads to different tissues and depending on the damage it causes to the environment, it may need to be cleaned and removed. In such cases, surgical intervention may be performed. Nutrition difficulties may be experienced after surgery. These difficulties can be overcome with diet programs.
Radiotherapy
Existing cancer cells can be eliminated by applying high-energy rays to the mouth and throat. In addition, spread to different tissues can be prevented. The rate determined in the treatment varies according to the structure and location of the tumor.
Common side effects include dry mouth, tooth loss, sore throat, bleeding and pain in the gums, non-healing of intraoral benefits, local infection, hardening of the jaw joint, differentiation in taste and smell, burns on the skin and intense fatigue.
During this period, it is very important to pay attention to oral hygiene. It is aimed to make the process easier and lighter with the supportive treatment applications deemed necessary by the ENT doctor against all side effects that may be seen.
Ways to Prevent Oral Cancers
Although there is no one hundred percent proven method or way, there are a number of substances that can reduce the risks and take precautions. Ways to prevent oral cancers can be listed as follows:
- Avoiding smoking
- People who consume alcohol should stop drinking alcohol
- Avoiding cancer-causing substances
- To have regular dental check-ups and examinations for oral and dental health
- Treatment of teeth and prostheses that may cause intraoral injury