- Main signs and symptoms
- How the diagnosis is made
- What can cause mouth cancer
- How to prevent mouth cancer
- How the treatment is done
Mouth cancer is a type of malignant tumor, usually diagnosed by the dentist, which can appear in any structure of the mouth, from lips, tongue, cheeks and even gums. This type of cancer is more common after the age of 50, but it can appear at any age, being more frequent in smokers and people with poor oral hygiene.
The most common symptoms include the appearance of sores or canker sores that take time to heal, but pain around a tooth and persistent bad breath can also be warning signs.
When there is a suspicion of cancer in the mouth it is very important to consult a general practitioner or a dentist, to confirm the diagnosis and start early treatment, increasing the chances of cure.
Main signs and symptoms
The symptoms of oral cancer appear silently and, due to the fact that there is no pain, the person may take a long time to seek treatment, the disease being diagnosed, most of the time, in more advanced stages. The signs and symptoms indicative of oral cancer vary according to the degree of development of the disease, the first signs being:
- Sore or thrush in the oral cavity that does not heal in 15 days; Red or white spots on the gums, tongue, lips, throat or lining of the mouth; Small superficial wounds that do not hurt and may or may not bleed; Irritation, sore throat or sensation that something is stuck in the throat.
However, in more advanced stages, the symptoms progress to:
- Difficulty or pain when speaking, chewing and swallowing; Lumps in the neck due to enlarged waters; Pain around the teeth, which can fall easily; Persistent bad breath; Sudden weight loss.
If these signs and symptoms of oral cancer persist for more than 2 weeks, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner or a dentist to assess the problem, perform the necessary tests and diagnose the disease, initiating the appropriate treatment.
Mouth cancer can arise due to the person's habits, such as smoking and drinking excessively, in addition, HPV virus infection can result in oral manifestations, increasing the chance of oral cancer occurring. Diet low in vitamins and minerals and prolonged exposure to the sun can also favor the occurrence of oral cancer. Understand how each of these factors can cause oral cancer.
How the diagnosis is made
In most cases, the doctor is able to identify the cancer lesions just by looking at the mouth, however, it is common to order a biopsy of a small piece of the lesion to identify whether there are cancer cells.
If tumor cells are identified, the doctor may also order a CT scan to assess the degree of development of the disease and to identify if there are other affected sites, besides the mouth. Know the tests that identify cancer.
What can cause mouth cancer
Mouth cancer can be caused by some common situations such as cigarettes, which include the use of a pipe, cigar or even the act of chewing tobacco, because the smoke contains carcinogenic substances, such as tar, benzopyrenes and aromatic amines. In addition, the increase in temperature in the mouth facilitates an aggression of the oral mucosa, which makes it even more exposed to these substances.
The excess of alcoholic beverages is also related to oral cancer, although it is not known exactly which causative mechanism, it is known that alcohol facilitates the entry of ethanol residues, such as aldehydes, through the mouth mucosa favoring cellular changes.
Sun exposure on the lips, without proper protection, such as lipsticks or balms with a sun protection factor, is also one of the factors that influence the development of cancer on the lips, which is very common in Brazil, and which especially affects people with fair skin, who work exposed to the sun.
In addition, infection by the HPV virus in the mouth region also seems to increase the risk of oral cancer, and therefore to protect against this virus it is necessary to use condoms even during oral sex.
Poor oral hygiene and the use of poorly adapted dental prostheses are also factors that facilitate the development of cancer in the mouth, but to a lesser extent.
How to prevent mouth cancer
To prevent oral cancer it is recommended to avoid all risk factors, and to have good oral hygiene habits. For that it is necessary:
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and cereals, avoiding eating meats and processed foods daily; Use condoms in all sexual relations, even oral sex, to avoid contamination with HPV; Do not smoke and do not be exposed to cigarette smoke; Drink alcoholic beverages moderately; Use lipstick or lip balm with protective factor especially if you work in the sun.
In addition, it is recommended to treat any changes in the teeth early, and follow all the instructions of the dentist, and it is important not to use another person's dental prosthesis or mobile orthodontic appliance, because they can cause areas of greater pressure, which compromise the oral mucosa, facilitating the entry of harmful substances.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for oral cancer can be done through surgery to remove the tumor, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The choice of the best treatment is made according to the location of the tumor, severity and whether the cancer has spread or not to other parts of the body. Find out more about how this type of cancer is treated.
