Oral Cancer

Introduction

Cancer in the mouth is like cancer anywhere else in the body. It starts as an uncontrolled growth of cells in the mouth. It leads to disfigurement of the face and debility of the body.

Oral cancer is an important and preventable killer in the United States. It is particularly a problem in large 3rd world countries such as India. A vast majority of oral cancers are directly linked to like chewing tobacco and smoking.

Warning Signs

A white or red patch in the mouth or on the tongue, a painless ulcer which does not heal for over 2 weeks, difficulty in eating, drinking and speaking are some of the early signs of oral cancer. If these symptoms appear you must consult your dentist or doctor immediately.

You can either examine yourself for these signs, or you may contact your health care provider to do it for you. For self-examination, you will need a mirror and a good light. Look for any swellings, ulcers, and white or red patches.

The two most common conditions that can lead to cancer are:

Treatment

If detected early, oral cancer is curable. The smaller the lesion, the better the chances of cure. Treatment involves surgical removal of the afflicted parts followed by radiation. Chemotherapy is rarely advocated. Cancer of the lips shows 85% cure rate. Other oral cancers, if detected early and treated promptly, may prolong the life of patients by as much as 20 years.

Prevention

• Avoid bad oral habits like chewing tobacco and smoking. These habits increase your chances of getting oral cancer dramatically.

• Eat a diet rich in fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products.

• Brush twice a day and maintain good oral hygiene.

• Visit your dentist regularly.

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Resources

"Oral Cancer" from Dr. Vaswani's Dental Page @ http://members.rediff.com/deepakvaswani/index.htm

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