Mouth cancer generally affects the lips or tongue and although smoking together with alcohol intake can influence the appearance of this pathology, men over 40 years of age are more sensitive to suffering from it than women. To diagnose this disease, periodic visits to the dentist should be made, maintain adequate oral health and be very aware of any injury that may appear in this area. In this FastlyHealarticle we inform you about the symptoms, causes and treatment of mouth cancer .
Table of Contents
Symptoms of mouth cancer
Mouth cancer can manifest as a mouth ulcer or mass. It is not possible to recognize the first signs of oral cancer, so it is advisable to visit the dentist frequently to identify this pathology early.
The symptoms of mouth cancer can be similar to those of other oral diseases and it is possible to confuse them.
- The most common symptom is that a sore appears in the mouth , gums or anywhere inside the mouth, which does not heal and bleeds very easily.
- The mouth or part of it feels numb or sensation is lost in a certain area.
- You have difficulty eating, especially when chewing.
- A lump appears that can be felt or the cheek thickens.
- White or red spots emerge on the mouth, tongue, or gums.
- The jaw swells.
- A pain arises in the mouth without any explanation.
- Change the voice.
- A feeling of blockage begins in the throat .
Causes of mouth cancer
There are different risk factors and causes that can generate mouth cancer , some of them are:
- Tobacco : it is associated with a large percentage of this pathology as it causes chronic irritation in the mouth.
- Alcohol : the consumption of this substance also increases the chances of getting mouth cancer, like other types of cancer since it is a drink that contains toxic and carcinogenic substances.
- Poor oral and dental hygiene : bacteria concentrated in the mouth due to poor hygiene can cause infections and increase the risk of suffering from this pathology.
- Certain Medications : Taking many drugs that weaken the immune system is also a risk factor for mouth cancer.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) : this pathology can affect, among other things, the mouth and throat. Some types of this virus can cause mouth cancer.
Treatment for mouth cancer
Once the doctor has diagnosed mouth cancer, the specialist will choose one of the following treatments:
- Surgery : this is an operation performed under general anesthesia and the main objective is to remove the tissues affected by the pathology from the body. Also, surgery can lead to the removal of lymph nodes.
- Radiation therapy : This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. The procedure can be performed individually or after surgery and can have various side effects such as nausea, fatigue, mouth ulcers, muscle pain, among others.
- Photodynamics : this therapy is used during the onset of cancer and is no longer used in advanced stages of the pathology. It consists of taking a drug that makes the tissues sensitive in order to kill the tumor with a laser.
- Medications : the intake of drugs exclusively intended to treat mouth cancer. Although, in general, they are used in addition to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Mouth cancer: symptoms, causes and treatment , we recommend that you enter our category of Teeth and mouth .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.