Oral Cancer
Oral Cancer
Oral cancers are some of the more uncommon cancers, with it ranked fifteenth in the list of the top cancers affection people worldwide. It affects people from both sexes, and can affect adults as well as kids of all ages. There are a number of different cancers that are grouped under oral cancer, and we will try to look at what these different kinds of cancers are. We will also be looking at symptoms, causes and possible treatment options for oral cancer.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer refers to a group of cancers that affect the mouth and neck. It includes cancers of:
Basically, they are cancers that affect the oral cavity and, therefore, are grouped under the umbrella term, oral cancer. This type of cancer has been on the rise in recent years, with number of cases going up by the thousands each year.
Causes of oral cancer
Like most other forms of cancer, it is difficult to pinpoint what exactly causes oral cancer, but there are a few risk factors that can make you more susceptible to getting this cancer.
All these factors can contribute to make you more vulnerable to oral cancer.
Symptoms of oral cancer
These are symptoms that can be easily missed. Most oral cancers become fatal because they are not detected early enough and metastasize due to lack of treatment.
Treatment options for oral cancer
* Surgery
* Chemotherapy
* Radiation Therapy
Treatment of oral cancers is similar rot that of other cancers. Fatalities due to oral cancers are way higher than mortality rates of other cancers, although oral cancers is relatively rarer. The main reason for this is delayed detection and diagnosis. Be vigilant, go for regular dental check-ups and make sure you go to your dentist immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
Oral cancers are some of the more uncommon cancers, with it ranked fifteenth in the list of the top cancers affection people worldwide. It affects people from both sexes, and can affect adults as well as kids of all ages. There are a number of different cancers that are grouped under oral cancer, and we will try to look at what these different kinds of cancers are. We will also be looking at symptoms, causes and possible treatment options for oral cancer.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer refers to a group of cancers that affect the mouth and neck. It includes cancers of:
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Tongue
- Sinuses
- Soft and hard palate
- Floor of the mouth
- Pharynx or throat
Basically, they are cancers that affect the oral cavity and, therefore, are grouped under the umbrella term, oral cancer. This type of cancer has been on the rise in recent years, with number of cases going up by the thousands each year.
Causes of oral cancer
Like most other forms of cancer, it is difficult to pinpoint what exactly causes oral cancer, but there are a few risk factors that can make you more susceptible to getting this cancer.
- Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes
- Chewing smokeless tobacco products like guthka and snuff
- Regular and excessive alcohol consumption
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and oral sex with multiple partners
- Excessive exposure to the sun
- Family history of oral cancer
All these factors can contribute to make you more vulnerable to oral cancer.
Symptoms of oral cancer
- Mouth ulcers and bleeding sores
- Red or white velvety patches inside the mouth
- Soreness or numbness in face, mouth or neck
- Chronic sore throat and hoarseness of voice
- Difficulty opening the mouth, chewing and swallowing
- Sudden unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained bleeding in the oral cavity
These are symptoms that can be easily missed. Most oral cancers become fatal because they are not detected early enough and metastasize due to lack of treatment.
Treatment options for oral cancer
* Surgery
* Chemotherapy
* Radiation Therapy
Treatment of oral cancers is similar rot that of other cancers. Fatalities due to oral cancers are way higher than mortality rates of other cancers, although oral cancers is relatively rarer. The main reason for this is delayed detection and diagnosis. Be vigilant, go for regular dental check-ups and make sure you go to your dentist immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.