Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Occurring of mouth ulcers that do not go away.
Swelling in the mouth.
Painful tongue.
A hoarse voice.
A sore that does not heal.
Pain when swallowing.
Severe pain in neck.
Dentures don not fit properly.
Loosening of teeth.
Pain in jaw.
Jaw inflexibility.
A sensation that something is stuck in the throat.
Sore throat.
If you have any of these symptoms you should visit doctor. There are many other diseases with similar symptoms.
Risk factors for mouth cancer
1. Smoking–Many researches indicate that a smoker has a risk 5 times great than the non-smoker for developing Mouth cancer.
2. Both heavy and regular alcohol consumption- someone who takes 30 pints of beer every week has a risk 5 times greater than a man who drinks moderately.
3. Too much sun exposure- Unnecessary sun exposure to your lips may cause the mouth cancer. We know that sun is very good for us but too much is very bad for your skin and lips. So protect your lip, you must use any sunscreen.
4. Diet- People, who eat plenty of fried foods and processed red meat, are more possible to develop Mouth cancer than others.
5. Exposure to certain chemicals- particularly asbestos,sulphuric acid and also formaldehyde.
Treatment
It depends on the accurate type of cancer, where it is and how far it has spread.
Surgery
Surgery is a general solution for the Treatment of mouth cancer . The objective is to completely remove the tumor. That part of the mouth, the specialist can deduct but it mainly depends on where the cancer is present and where it has spread. You may have a local or general anesthesia. If the cancer is larger and the operation expanded, should remain in hospital for treatment.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is commonly used to destroy cancer affected cells and minimize damage. It is using a machine in a thin beam of radiation to the affected area.
Radiation therapy can have side effects such as painful inflammation of oral mucosa. This can be more painful and may need painkillers for a few weeks until your mouth starts to heal.
You may have radiotherapy after surgery to ensure that killed all cancer cells.
Chemotherapy- If the cancer is spread, then chemotherapy are often used together with radiotherapy. If there is any possible significant risk that the cancer coming back, then chemotherapy may be used to combine with radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy is delivered with powerful drugs that kill cancer; the powerful drugs can damage the DNA of cancer cells , thus compromising their ability to reproduce.
Chemotherapy sometimes damages some healthy tissues and the patients may get the following side-effects:
1. Weakened immune system (higher vulnerability to infection)
2. Vomiting
3. Fatigue
4. Nausea
5. Hair loss
