If you consume too much tobacco or alcohol then oral cancer can develop in your mouth. A large number of heavy drinkers which are nearly around 70 % suffer from oral cancer. Similarly, the individuals who consume tobacco and suffer from oral cancer are nearly 80 %. There are two times more chances of oral cancer in the individuals who are heavy drinkers and smokers. As compared to women the chances of oral cancer to develop in men are two times more. Now I am going to tell you everything you should know about oral cancer.
Symptoms of oral cancer
Initially you will not see oral cancer’s symptoms and signs when it has started developing in your mouth. You need to go to a dental hospital regularly if you consume so much tobacco or alcohol or if you smoke a lot. The initial signs can be spotted by a dentist.
Before the Cancer
The possibility of development of cancer can be shown by various signs:
Leukoplakia: It develops in the mouth in the form of white patches and does not go away in spite of rubbing.
Oral lichen planus: It is a condition in which ulceration, reddish border and while lines appear in several areas of your mouth.
These are basically the pre cancer signs. We cannot say that an individual is actually suffering from cancer if he has these signs. However, it is necessary for you to consult a dentist if any of these signs appear in your mouth. With this at an initial stage the detection of the cancer will be possible.
Cancer
Signs of development of cancer are:
- You cannot move your jaw or tongue easily
- You cannot swallow or chew easily
- Your voice becomes hoarse
- You feel that in your throat something has stuck or your throat has become sore
- Your jaw swells
- The dentures fit poorly
- Without any reason your teeth become loose
- Your gums become thick
- Unhealable sores or ulcers in the mouth
- In your mouth pain and bleeding occurs
- Appearance of white or red spots on tongue
There is no surety of mouth cancer in an individual if he shows a symptom as mentioned above.
Treatment
Depending on a number of factors the doctor will start the treatment:
- Those preferences of the individual that are personal
- Overall health of the individual
- Cancer type, its stage and location
Various options of treatment are as follows:
1. Chemotherapy – A combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is recommended by a doctor if the cancer has spread a lot. For damaging the cancer cells’ DNA, some powerful medicines are used in chemotherapy. Some adverse effects of chemotherapy are:
- Immune system becomes weak
- Loss of hair
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fatigue
2. Surgery – For removing the tumor, a surgery may be recommended by a doctor. This may include the removal of:
- Lymph nodes
- Jawbone
- Tongue’s part
Sometimes reconstructive surgery is needed if a person cannot eat or talk properly as a result of surgery.
For all your oral problems it will be better to visit the dentist nearby. He will diagnose your problem and start the treatment.
