ORAL CANCER – RISK FACTORS & SYMPTOMS
Posted by Grace Staff on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 @ 03:25 PM
Submitted by:
DR. KEVIN P. Grace
ORAL CANCER – RISK FACTORS & SYMPTOMS
In The US, an estimated 36,450 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed every year. Nearly 7,880 people die annually of this disease each year. Over 90% of oral cancer arises in the epithelial surface layer of the oral mucosa.
Risk Factors:
- Tobacco also includes smokeless
- Alcohol
- Presence of the HPV (human papillomavirus) in the oral cavity
- Loose fitting dentures causing irritation, sore spots
Symptoms:
- Non-healing ulcer/wound – whether or not it is painful
- Recent pain of oral lesion
- White or red spots
- Bleeding mouth sores
- Increased mouth pain
- Loose teeth
- Poor-fitting dentures
- Non-healing extraction site
- Ear pain
- Lip or tongue numbness
- Difficulty/painful swallowing
- Change in speech
- Lump in neck
Appearance:
- Red or white or combination of both
- Can be smooth or invasive (erosion or proliferation of tissue)
- Majority of lesions seen on tongue and floor of the mouth
- Lasting more than 2 weeks
Oral cancer screening – visual and tactile exam – by a health professional is the best defense against oral cancer. The other important item for prevention is the ability of each patient to monitor symptoms and/or changes described above.
After the clinical exam, if the lesion looks suspicious, a biopsy (taking a piece of tissue for microscopic exam) will be recommended.
The most important message – the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the chance for a recovery.