Oral Cancers
What are the symptoms?
Oral cancers are a group of diseases that affect the tissues of the oral cavity, including the tongue, gums, cheeks, palate, and salivary glands.
These types of cancers – known as head and neck cancers – can be dangerous because they are not diagnosed in a timely manner and are identified when they are advanced.
What promotes the development of oral cancers?
Several factors can promote this pathology. The most frequent is the consumption of tobacco in different forms: smoked, chewed, or snuff.
Another trigger is excessive alcohol consumption. If combined with tobacco use, the chances of developing cancer are increased.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight, without protection, increases the risk of lip cancer.
A diet low in nutrients, family history, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and exposure to certain chemicals are other predisposing factors.
What are the symptoms of oral cancers?
Some of the symptoms include pain or discomfort in the mouth that does not go away, ulcers or sores in the mouth that will not heal, changes in the shape or color of the tongue, gums, or cheeks, difficulty swallowing or chewing, swelling in neck or jaw and voice changes.
Generally, oral cancers are painless in the early stages, which is why they are not noticed and diagnosed in a timely manner, affecting the chances of successful treatment.
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Treatment Options for Oral Cancers
Depending on the type of cancer and the condition of progress that it presents, the treatment can take different routes:
Surgery:
Regularly, it is the first therapeutic step for oral cancer. The affected part and surrounding tissues are removed. Sometimes part of the jaw or tongue is removed to ensure the eradication of the disease.
Radiotherapy:
Destroys cancer cells. It is an option to treat cancers that have not spread beyond the mouth and neck. It can also be used after surgery to remove any remaining tissue affected by the pathology.
Chemotherapy:
It uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is often combined with radiation therapy for greater effectiveness. Some of the side effects are nausea and hair loss.
● Targeted therapy: It is a new form of treatment that attacks specific cancer cells. It may be more effective for managing certain types of oral cancer.
● Immunotherapy: Recent therapeutic option that uses the immune system to fight cancer. It has been shown to be effective in cases of advanced oral cancer.
These treatment options can be accompanied by different complementary therapies such as support, nutrition, speech and pain management, and procedures that contribute to the process and improve the person’s quality of life.
How to prevent oral cancers?
There are several preventive measures that can be adopted: not using tobacco, reducing alcohol consumption, using sunscreen, and maintaining a healthy diet.
The key against cancer: Early diagnosis and treatment.
Oral cancer is a dangerous disease, but it can be prevented and successfully treated if caught early.
A preventive measure that is always available is to regularly consult the dentist and make a periodic assessment of the oral health condition.
If any of the symptoms occur, urgent medical attention is necessary to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment options.
Consult our directory of oral health professionals, a tool at your disposal to locate dental care according to your expectations.
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