Early detection and prevention of oral cancer: Be alert to potential life threats

Introduction

Oral cancer is a serious malignant tumor that mainly occurs in the oral mucosa, tongue, lips, gums, cheeks, and throat. Early detection and treatment are key to improving survival rates. This article will delve into the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment methods of oral cancer, helping readers to comprehensively understand and manage this potential threat to life, and raise awareness of early detection and prevention.

Symptoms of oral cancer

The symptoms of oral cancer are diverse and may not be obvious in the early stages, but as the condition progresses, the symptoms will gradually become apparent. Common symptoms include:

1. Ulcer : Long term unhealed ulcers in the oral cavity that persist for more than two weeks.
2. Lump or nodule : A fixed lump or nodule appears in the oral cavity or neck.
3. Pain : Unexplained pain or discomfort in the mouth.
4. Bleeding : Bleeding in the mouth without obvious cause, especially at the site of ulcers.
5. Color change : White, red, or mixed colored spots or patches appear in the mouth.
6. Dysfunction : Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking, affecting normal oral function.
7. Loose teeth : Teeth become loose or fall off for no apparent reason.
8. Lymph node enlargement : Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, with a hard and solid sensation when touched.

Causes of Oral Cancer

The causes of oral cancer are complex, involving multiple aspects such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle habits

1. Smoking and drinking:
   Smoking: Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for oral cancer, and harmful substances in tobacco can directly damage oral mucosal cells.
   Alcohol consumption: Long term heavy drinking increases the risk of oral cancer, as alcohol can damage the barrier function of the oral mucosa.
2. Viral infection :
   Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Certain types of HPV infections, especially HPV16 and HPV18, are closely associated with the occurrence of oral cancer.
3. Genetic factors :
   Family history: People with a family history of oral cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease.
4. Bad lifestyle habits :
   Chewing betel nut: Chewing betel nut is a common habit in Southeast Asia, and the chemicals in betel nut can cause cancer.
   Poor diet: A lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet may increase the risk of oral cancer.
5. Chronic irritation :
   Sharp tooth edges: Long term mechanical stimulation may cause damage to the oral mucosa and increase the risk of cancer.
   Inappropriate dentures: Long term wearing of inappropriate dentures may lead to chronic inflammation and cancer.
6. Systemic diseases :
   Immune system diseases: People with weakened immune system function have an increased risk of developing oral cancer.
   Chronic inflammation: Long term chronic inflammation, such as oral lichen planus, may increase the risk of cancer.

Preventive measures for oral cancer

The key to preventing oral cancer lies in improving lifestyle habits and maintaining good oral hygiene:

1. Smoking cessation and alcohol restriction :
   Quit smoking : Smoking is an important risk factor for oral cancer and should be quit as soon as possible.
   Alcohol restriction : Reduce alcohol intake and avoid longterm heavy drinking.
2. Healthy diet :
   Balanced diet : consume foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, and folate to enhance immunity.
   Reduce irritating foods: Avoid frequent intake of spicy, acidic, and overheated foods to reduce irritation to the oral mucosa.
3. Avoid bad habits :
   Do not chew betel nut : Avoid chewing betel nut to reduce the risk of oral cancer.
   Proper use of dentures : Regularly check the suitability of dentures to avoid longterm wearing of unsuitable dentures.
4. Maintain good oral hygiene :
   Correct brushing : Brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time, using a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
   Use dental floss : Use dental floss or interdental brushes daily to clean the gaps between teeth and remove dental plaque.
   Mouthwash : Use antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and prevent infections.
5. Regular Inspection :
   Dental examination: Conduct a comprehensive dental examination every six months to one year to promptly detect and treat early lesions.
   Self examination: Regularly conduct oral selfexamination to observe for any abnormal ulcers, lumps, or color changes.

Treatment methods for oral cancer

Once diagnosed with oral cancer, seek medical attention promptly and take appropriate treatment measures according to the condition:

1. Surgical treatment :
   Local resection: Removal of tumor and surrounding tissue, suitable for early oral cancer.
   Widespread resection: Removing the tumor and surrounding normal tissue, suitable for advanced oral cancer.
   Lymph node dissection: Remove the affected cervical lymph nodes to reduce the risk of metastasis.
2. Radiotherapy :
   External irradiation: Using an external radiation source to irradiate the tumor area and kill cancer cells.
   Internal irradiation: placing a radiation source inside or near the tumor for close range radiation therapy.
3. Chemotherapy :
   Monotherapy : The use of a chemotherapy drug, suitable for adjuvant or palliative treatment.
   Combination therapy: using multiple chemotherapy drugs to improve treatment efficacy, suitable for advanced oral cancer.
4. Targeted therapy :
   Targeted drugs: Targeting specific cancer cell molecular targets, using targeted drugs for treatment to reduce damage to normal cells.
5. Immunotherapy :
   Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance the anticancer ability of the immune system by blocking the immune escape mechanism of cancer cells.
6. Comprehensive treatment :
   Multidisciplinary team therapy: A team composed of experts from multiple disciplines such as oral surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc., develops personalized treatment plans to improve treatment effectiveness.

Conclusion

Oral cancer is a serious malignant tumor, and early detection and treatment are key to improving survival rates. By understanding the symptoms, causes, and prevention methods of oral cancer, we can take scientific and reasonable measures to effectively manage and prevent this potential threat to life. I hope this article can help readers raise awareness of early detection and prevention, take appropriate preventive and treatment measures, and protect their own and their family’s oral health. Through comprehensive management and timely treatment, we can reduce the risk of oral cancer and enjoy a healthy and comfortable life.