Understanding the Rarely Discussed Condition: Oral Cancer.

Oral cancer collectively refers to cancers that occur in areas such as the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, palate, and jawbone. While it accounts for only 3-5% of all cancer cases, its symptoms may manifest relatively late. It's often mistaken for common oral conditions like mouth ulcers or gum diseases, which is the deceptive nature of oral cancer.

 

Specialists emphasize that surgery is generally the preferred treatment for oral cancer, often combined with radiation therapy.

 

However, as the disease progresses, the extent of surgical removal widens, potentially causing both functional and aesthetic alterations. This underscores the critical importance of early detection.

 

Oral cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer in men, following stomach, lung, liver, and colon cancer. Among women, it is the eighth most prevalent.

 

Smoking, alcohol consumption, HPV (Human Papillomavirus), and poor oral hygiene are identified as the primary risk factors for oral cancer. Particularly, males who indulge in smoking and drinking face higher incidence rates. To prevent oral cancer, it is crucial to maintain impeccable oral hygiene and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

 

Additionally, regular examinations are necessary, as ongoing damage to oral mucosa caused by ill-fitting dentures or dental prosthetics can lead to oral cancer.

 

Among oral cancer patients, three out of ten suffer from tongue cancer, where malignant tumors develop on the tongue. The tongue is the area most exposed to external stimuli, especially susceptible to irritation from chewing with teeth and prosthetics. Oral cancer can also occur on the gums or the underside of the tongue.

 

Specialists emphasize that surgery is generally the preferred treatment for oral cancer, often combined with radiation therapy. Early detection is crucial, as it minimizes functional impairment and offers a possibility of complete recovery. Therefore, if any unusual symptoms in the oral cavity persist for more than two weeks, seeking a specialist promptly is strongly advised.