Oral Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Oral cancer or cancer of the oral cavity are all forms of malignancy (malignancy, malignant cells) arising from the lips, oral cavity, gums, tongue, oropharynx (the area behind the oral cavity), as well as the hypopharynx (the area below the oropharynx).
This type of cancer is a disease with a high incidence rate. Until now, oral cancer is still difficult to cure.
Oral cancer is one of the 10 most common types of cancer in the world. 95% of cases of oral cancer occur at the age of over 40 years and tend to attack men.
Symptom
Early symptoms of oral cancer are usually asymptomatic or without symptoms. However, if symptoms arise, the signs are almost the same as the symptoms of other oral diseases.
Symptoms of oral disease that have the potential to turn into cancer are lesions on the oral mucosa in the form of red lesions (erythroplakia), white lesions (leukoplakia), and red and white lesions (erythroleukoplakia). Lesion is a medical term to refer to the condition of abnormal tissue in the body.
Symptoms or characteristics of oral cancer usually appear only after the patient with oral cancer is at an advanced stage. Such as the appearance of a lump or swelling, pain, bleeding, and changes in the movement of the lower jaw. Apart from that, the sufferer may also experience a chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, limited tongue movement accompanied by swollen lymph nodes (lymph nodes or lymphadenopathy).
Signs that occur in the mouth usually appear in the form of red, white, or a combination of spots, sores such as deep and crusty canker sores, and bluish, brown, or black sores.
Reason
The cause of oral cancer is still unknown and cannot be determined with certainty. Lifestyle factors, social culture, genetic factors, work environment, to geographical factors also play a role as factors related to oral cancer.
Smoking habits – both smoking pipes, chewing betel nut or tobacco, are known to trigger attacks of oral cancer. Likewise, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, poor oral hygiene, deficiencies of vitamins A, C, E, zinc, iron, and trace elements, and cirrhosis of the liver can be triggering factors and causes of oral cancer.
Diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis of oral cancer, interviews, a thorough physical examination, and supporting examinations are necessary. Examinations carried out a mainly histopathological examination as a gold standard.
In addition, it is necessary to check regularly to find unusual signs as early as possible, before more severe symptoms appear in the mouth. The most common type of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.
Treatment
Oral cancer treatment usually requires a team of experts. This team consists of dentists, oral disease specialists, oral surgeons, oncologists, surgeons, radiation specialists, chemotherapeutics, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychiatrists or psychologists.
It is the team that will decide on the type of therapy that is appropriate to the disease found. Usually, therapy for oral cancer can be in the form of conventional therapy – such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgical therapy can only be performed on oral cancer that has not spread yet.
The side effect of oral cancer therapy, especially after surgical therapy, is the occurrence of surgical defects in the form of aesthetic disturbances and functional disorders. Conditions such as dry mouth (xerostomia), mouth sores, dental caries, bone damage due to radiation (osteoradionecrosis), or digestive system disorders are some of the possible side effects.
Another way of treatment that has now been developed is gene therapy techniques using adenovirus vectors from DNA. This vector is considered as a carrier of genes that are expected to be therapeutic or helpful in the treatment of cancer patients.
Prevention
The simplest way to prevent oral cancer is to detect it as early as possible. Carrying out routine checks to the dentist can be the first step to be aware if there are sores in the mouth that have the potential to develop into cancer.
The risk of death from oral cancer can be reduced if detection of injuries, diagnosis and treatment is carried out at an early stage appropriately. In addition, avoid factors that are considered to be supporting the occurrence of oral cancer.