Oral Cancer Symptoms

OVERVIEW

Oral cancer, commonly referred to as mouth cancer or throat cancer, is an uncontrollable growth of cells in the oral cavity. It refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth. It can include cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, the floor of the mouth, pharynx (throat), hard and soft palate and either of the sinuses. Mouth and oropharyngeal cancer can be life-threatening, but it could be prevented if the cancer is diagnosed early enough.

Oral Cancer Symptoms

There are some typical signs of mouth cancer that a majority of patients experience. Make sure to visit your doctor or dentist in case you experience any of the following signs of mouth cancer:

Pain and discomfort in the mouth: Ongoing pain or discomfort from a long time in the mouth is one of the most symptoms.

Ulcers and sore: Bleeding ulcer or sore, which is not healing for more than two weeks can be a symptom of oral cancer.

Unexplained bleeding: Unexplained bleeding in the mouth can be an alarming indication of oral cancer.

Numbness and lost sensation: Numbness, loss of feeling or tenderness in any area of the mouth, or neck can be a symptom.

White or red patches: Any abnormal-looking patches in the mouth or throat could be a sign of cancer or precancerous changes. Although, a fungal infection called thrush can also be the reason for white or red patches.

Difficulty in swallowing: You may feel difficulty in chewing and swallowing and feel like your food is sticking in your throat. Feeling difficulty in speaking or moving the jaw and tongue can be one of the most important throat cancer symptoms.

Weight loss: Dramatic weight loss without any reason can also be a symptom.

BEFORE THE TREATMENT

Before initiating treatment, it is important to identify mouth or throat cancer symptoms and diagnose the condition.

Oral Cancer Diagnosis

Early diagnosis of oral cancer is one of the keys to improved rates of survival. It is better to visit a dentist periodically so that as a part of your routine dental exam, your dentist can conduct an oral cancer screening exam if he or she sees any lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity.

The following are some of the common tests used for oral cancer diagnosis:

Cancer screening: Screening includes a series of tests to check for early signs of cancer. But it must be effective, accurate, and should not give false-positive results in people who do not have cancer.

Physical examination: Physical examination of your lips and mouth to look for abnormalities and areas of irritation, such as sores and white patches by the specialist is a part of an oral cancer diagnosis.

Oral brush biopsy: If your doctor or dentist finds a suspicious area in your mouth, they may remove a sample of cells from the suspected location and send it for laboratory testing. This procedure is known as a biopsy.

At this stage, you may want to ask several questions from your doctor about the future course of action. Do not stop yourself from clearing your doubts from the surgeon and prepare your mind accordingly. You may want to know more about the impact of surgery on your quality of life and how soon you are expected to recover from the surgery.

You must make several lifestyle-related changes prior to treatment to improve your chances of successful recovery. Additionally, stop taking specific medicines or drugs prior to the treatment or as advised by the doctor.

Source URL: https://medigence.com/treatment/oral-cancer-treatment

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