Oral Cancer

Cancer » Oral Cancer

Oral cancer which is listed among the subsections of Head and Neck Cancers, is origin of abnormal Cancerous cells (Malignant) that multiply rapidly forming unusual structure (tumor) in areas of oral cavity mostly in lower lips, gums tonsils or salivary gland. It even starts with a primary lesion on a particular part of oral tissues which is a consequent result of excess smoking and regular intake of alcoholic products, but generally Oral cancer looks like a growth, ulcer or sore that do not heals quickly and starts bleeding easily, almost all oral cancers grows in the flat cells (Squamous cells) present in the covering skin of lips, mouth and tongue and these cancers are known as Squamous Cells Carcinomas. And when the cancer expands it passes through lymphatic system and the cell that reaches lymphatic system are carried by transparent watery fluid (lymph).

As like the most types of cancer Oral cancer is also classified on the basis of the tumor and is also of two types:-

Benign Tumor- Non cancerous and less harmful as it can be easily cured as it does not grow back again.
Malignant Tumor- It's the modified phase of benign tumor with activation of Oncogene during DNA mutation, it is fatal and more harmful if not identified earlier and is cancerous and grows rapidly.

In Oral cancer causes are mostly related to the Oral intake habits and weaker immune systems but on seeing in a detailed manner there are various other causes of oral cancer such as:-

Irritation from artificial dental accessories (dentures and Filling etc)
HPV (Human Papiloma virus) infection
Medication of immunosuppressant pills
Unhygienic and poor dental habits
Smoking along with alcohol is major cause of oral cancer and people using these two factors together are more common patients of Oral cancer rather than either smoker or alcoholic.

In Oral Cancer symptoms are mostly noticed in earlier stages making it less fatal and harmful unlike other cancers and the basic symptoms of Oral cancer is intense pain in ear, formation of patches on lips or inside mouth, difficulty in chewing and swallowing food, formation of ulcer or sore which doesn't heals on time, change in voice, unusual bleeding, numbness in mouth etc.

If proper care is kept Oral cancer can be avoided up to certain extend, here are some precautions mentioned that could help maintain healthy oral cavity and avoid Oral cancer:-

Self care and examination of mouth should be conducted monthly to have a look up for any suspicious formation of cells, numbness in a certain portion or cuts or sores.
Avoid smoking, usage of alcohol and products related to them.
Seeing a doctor and physician on regular basis for complete mouth examination
Maintaining a balance diet and good oral hygiene

It is said that Oral cancer is more common in men then in women and it's also seen that the chance of suffering from Oral cancer gradually increases after the age of 40. But after all this there are various modes of treatment which are pretty effective in curing Oral cancers, treatment that are conducted in earlier stages to examine are Gum Biopsy, Tongue Biopsy etc and post disease treatment includes surgeries (if the tumor is small enough to be removed), Destroying cancer cells using radiation and Chemotherapy etc, These techniques of treatment have made Oral cancer a easily curable disease than a incurable one. Most of the cancers are located in there earlier stages before they could get fatal.