A cancer that occurs in any part of the mouth and pharynx is known as oral or mouth cancer. Cancer may appear in any part of the mouth that includes lips, tongue, upper or lower floor of the mouth, cheeks, gums, salivary glands and pharynx. Oral cancer is a life-threatening disease when not treated at its early stage. Startling data shows that the death rate is high when a person is affected with oral cancer. So it is always better to go for a regular dental check with your dentists in Pune especially if a person consumes alcohol or smokes or uses tobacco in any form.
Symptoms
• The early stages may go unnoticed as the person may not experience any pain. But the tissue changes and other symptoms of cancer in its early stages can be detected by the dentists. That’s why we insist the importance of regular check up with your dentist.
• An ulcer that resembles a sore, white (leukoplakia) or red (erythroleukoplakia) patches or spots in the mouth area.
• Any tissue changes that happened in the mouth and does not heal even after 14 days.
• Any pain or when a person finds difficulty in swallowing or chewing food.
• Any difference in your voice like hoarseness or change in the way you speak normally.
• A lump in the mouth or neck and also continuous ear ache.
• Stiffness in the facial region, teeth loosening, and pain in the tongue, jaw.
• Ill fitted dentures and sore throat.
• A person feels any discomfort in the neck or oral region.
When a person has any of the above symptoms, it is important to visit the dentists immediately for clarification.
Risk factors
Factor that increases the cause of cancer includes
• Age – above 40 is considered as normal risk zone, but people below that age is also on rise because of lifestyle changes.
• Regular alcohol consumption
• Tobacco chewing or consuming tobacco in any form
• Poor oral hygiene and diet
• Human papilloma virus infection (HPV16, sexually transmitted disease)
• Chewing betel nuts - widely consumed by Indians with or without knowing the fact that the risk factor is high.
• Sun exposure for a prolonged period may cause lip cancer
• Smokeless tobacco -There is a belief that smokeless tobacco is harmless but this is absolutely false. The risk of developing is indeed high in smokeless tobacco also. Chewing, snus and snuff smokeless tobacco is as harmful as a tobacco.
Examination
Self examination of the mouth should be done regularly apart from a regular visit to the dentist. If anyone feels that they are in the category of risk factors, a regular check up with your dentists is considered as a must. The dentists, especially oral and maxillofacial surgeons, are specialized in detecting and also treating the oral cancer patients. The dentists examine the patient to find out the symptoms and signs for a cancer and may advice for biopsy if he suspects anything. Biopsy is the simplest and less expensive way to detect a cancer for further treatment if necessary. There is no need to panic as any treatment when done early stages are considered as an effective one.
Dr. Nitin Oswal
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