These are the signs that they…
Common symptoms of oral cancer include a non-healing blister on the lips or inside the mouth, an enlarged or swollen mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, difficulty swallowing or pain in the mouth, a sudden lump in the throat, earache, unexplained weight loss, numbness of the lips, face, neck, or chin, red or white spots on the lips or inside the mouth, sore throat, dry mouth, stiffness or pain in the jaw, and sore tongue.
Although these symptoms are not noticeable in oral cancer, they should not be ignored, especially if multiple symptoms occur or persist despite treatment. Early diagnosis and medical advice are essential.
Causes
The main causes of oral cancer are smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes), tobacco use in all forms, and excessive alcohol consumption. The stages of oral cancer are as follows:
Stage 1: The tumor is less than 2.5 cm in size and has not yet spread to the lymph nodes; Stage 2: The tumor is between 2.5 and 5 cm in size and has not yet spread to the lymph nodes;
Stage 3: The tumor is larger than 5 cm or smaller but has spread to nearby lymph nodes;
Stage 4: The cancer has spread widely to surrounding tissue, lips, lymph nodes, or distant organs.
Treatment
The stage determines the treatment options and chances of recovery. Treatment options include surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruction of the affected area with pedicled or free flaps.
Radiation therapy uses technologies such as external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy to target cancer cells. Chemotherapy uses cancer drugs, often in combination with radiation therapy, to eliminate cancer cells at various stages.
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