Oral cancer is a disease in which cells in the mouth grow abnormally and uncontrollably. It can affect the lips, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, and other areas of the mouth. Oral cancer is the 15th most common cancer worldwide and the 8th most common cancer among men.If cancer begins in the buccal cavity or oral cavity, it is called oral cancer. The most common type of mouth cancer is the squamous cell carcinoma, as squamous cell epithelium is predominantly found in many areas of the body, including the inside of the mouth and in the skin. Around 90% of the oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is the cancer which develops in the glands that line the organs. In the buccal cavity, adenocarcinoma is the cancer of salivary glands. Oral carcinogenesis, like other cancers, progresses from dysplasia to invasive phenotypes. Genetic and proteomic approaches have revealed molecular pathology.
2. Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a disease in which cells in the mouth
grow abnormally and uncontrollably. It can
affect the lips, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth,
and other areas of the mouth. Oral cancer is the
15th most common cancer worldwide and the
8th most common cancer among men.
3. Symptoms of Oral Cancer
• The symptoms of oral cancer can vary
depending on the location of the
cancer. Some common symptoms
include:
• A sore in the mouth that does not
heal
• A lump in the mouth
• Red or white patches in the mouth
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Numbness or tingling in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Pain in the ear
• Change in voice
4. Causes of Oral Cancer
• The two main causes of oral cancer are tobacco use and
excessive alcohol consumption. Other risk factors for oral cancer
include:
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Sun exposure to the lips
• Poor oral hygiene
• A weakened immune system
• Certain genetic conditions
5. Stages of Oral Cancer
• Oral cancer is staged according to how far the cancer has spread.
The stages of oral cancer are:
• Stage 0: The cancer is only in the top layer of cells in the mouth.
• Stage 1: The cancer has spread to the deeper layers of cells in the
mouth.
• Stage 2: The cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to other parts of the head and neck.
• Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
6. Complications of Oral Cancer
• The complications of oral cancer can vary depending on the stage of
the cancer and the treatment received. Some possible complications
include:
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Speech problems
• Facial disfigurement
• Bone loss
• Spread of the cancer to other parts of the body
• Death
7. Prevention of Oral Cancer
• There are a number of things you can do to help prevent oral cancer,
including:
• Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is the single most important
thing you can do to reduce your risk of oral cancer.
• Limit alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to
no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for
women.
• Get vaccinated against HPV: The HPV vaccine can help protect you
from developing certain types of HPV that can lead to oral cancer.
• Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day and floss
once a day.
• See your dentist for regular checkups: Your dentist can look for early
signs of oral cancer during your regular checkups.
8. Conclusion
Oral cancer is a serious disease, but it is important to remember that
there are effective treatments available. If you have any concerns
about oral cancer, talk to your doctor.