EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ORAL CANCER

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ORAL CANCER

Oct 01, 2021

Oral cancer or mouth cancer describes a type of cancer that is generated in the mouth or throat tissues. It is associated with head and neck cancer. Most times, oral cancer is not easily detected until the lymph nodes are affected by it. Over time, if it is not quickly treated, it can spread to other body parts. If oral cancer is detected early, there is a high chance of survival. This is because oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat if it is detected on time.

People who are above the age of 40 are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. While younger people are not excluded, their risk levels are lower. Oral cancer has many causes. It can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, excess exposure of the lips to the sun, a weakened immune system, smoking cigarettes or tobacco, and a family history of oral cancer.

Symptoms Of Mouth Cancer.

Oral cancer or mouth cancer signs are difficult to detect without the attention of an oral surgeon or dentist. The mouth is a large organ, and there are parts of the mouth that are not easily noticeable or obvious. Some signs can stay in unnoticeable parts of the mouth, and this can make oral cancer early detection difficult. If you notice any odd changes inside your mouth you should contact your dentist for a dental exam or oral screening to check if there are any cancerous cells inside your mouth.

Some of the symptoms of oral cancer are:

  • Lumps inside the mouth that are not painful and have refused to heal
  • Stubborn sores on the lips and inside the mouth that do not heal
  • Loosed gums
  • Severe pain when swallowing
  • Jaw and throat pain
  • Patches inside the mouth with red and white colors
  • Intense gum bleeding

If you have any of the above symptoms you should see  a dentist or doctor right away. A dentist in Edison, NJ, can perform an oral cancer screening. Sometimes some of these symptoms can occur due to periodontitis (advanced gum disease), although there are other major symptoms of periodontitis as well. You can also see a dentist at Edison, NJ, if you suspect gum disease.

Oral Cancer Stages

After an oral biopsy (a procedure that helps the doctor detect if the cells are cancerous) has been conducted, and if cancer has been detected your dentist or oral surgeon will inform you about the stage of the cancer. This means the rate at which oral cancer may have spread to other parts of the body. This would also help the dentist determine what kind of oral cancer treatment would be best. People who are diagnosed with oral cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

  • Stage 0: This is also known as carcinoma in situ. At this stage, the cells are not yet cancerous, but there are tendencies that they might become cancerous over time.
  • Stage 1: At this stage, the tumor is still very small and hasn’t gotten to the lymph nodes yet. The tumor is less than 2 centimeters at this stage.
  • Stage 2: When the tumor is about 2 centimeters to 4 centimeters, the tumor is said to be stage 2 oral cancer. At this stage the tumor has not extended to the lymph nodes.
  • Stage 3: The tumor at this point is more than 4 centimeters and has extended to at least one of the lymph nodes.
  • Stage 4: At this point, the tumor is advanced and has progressed to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body like the surrounding tissues, the whole dental cavity, the jaw, the neck, the lungs, and other organs around the lungs.

At an early stage, which is stage 0, 1, and 2, oral cancer can still be easily treated. This is why early detection is one of the best ways of fighting and surviving oral cancer. You can see an oral surgeon near you for treatments and consultations if you have been diagnosed with oral cancer. Cancer. Oral screenings go a long way in helping you know about the state of your dental health and practicing proper dental hygiene can help in reducing your chances of developing oral cancer.

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