subject: Oral Cancer [print this page] Mouth and throat are made up of many kinds of cells like all organs of the body. Cells normally divide in an orderly way to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This process helps keep the body healthy. Cells that divides when new cells are not needed form too much tissue. The mass of extra tissue, called a tumor, can be benign or malignant.
Description:
Oral cancer occurs in two ways: as oral-cavity cancer, which starts in the mouth, and as oropharyngeal cancer, which develops in the part of the throat just behind the mouth.
Oral cancer can affect the cheeks, tongue, mouth and/or throat.common sign of oral cancer is pain in the mouth that does not go away The most common symptom of oral cancer is a sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal. Many other symptoms are:
A lump or thickening in the cheek
A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
Difficulties in chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
Prevention:
Major risk factors for oral cancer include: smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco or betel quid; consuming alcohol; and being infected with human papillomavirus.
Most oral cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, primarily tobacco and alcohol use. Quitting tobacco and limiting alcohol use significantly lower the risk of developing these cancers, even after many years of use. In addition, eating a healthy, balanced diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day may provide some protection against oral cancer. Finally, lip cancers can be prevented by avoiding unprotected sun exposure, as well as pipe and cigar tobacco.
Risk Factor :
Oral cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women. This is because men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol over long periods of time and in large enough doses to cause these cancers.
Detection:
Routine screening or examination of oral cavity by a physician or a dentist is the key for early detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Thorough self-examination is also highly recommended by physicians that may lead to an early diagnosis of abnormal growth in the oral cavity or neck. If any of the signs outlined above suggests the presence of oral cancer, the physician may recommend additional tests or procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment:
After the cancer is diagnosed and staged, the medical team dealing with the case will discuss the choice of treatment. This may be chemotherapy alone or in combination with radiation therapy or surgery. The treatment option is made depending upon the stage of the disease, the physical health of the patient, and after discussing the possible impact of the treatment on speech, swallowing, chewing, or general appearance. In advanced cancer, chemotherapy may be used in combination with either treatment.
More than 80 percent of patients whose oral cancer is diagnosed early will survive. Unfortunately, however, the majority of oral cancers are not diagnosed until the disease has advanced. Quitting tobacco and limiting alcohol use sharply reduce any risk of developing oral cancer, even after many years of use.
by: hawarydds001
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