Oral cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, develops when abnormal cells in the lining of the cheeks, gums, palate, tongue, or lips multiply uncontrollably. The disease often begins subtly with hard-to-recognize signs, such as slow-healing sores or red and white patches inside the mouth. In its early stages, symptoms are often vague and easily mistaken for common ear, nose, and throat conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. Untreated, advanced oral cancer can cause severe physical complications and significantly impact quality of life, varying depending on the tumor's location and disease stage.

Common symptoms include persistent, widespread pain in the mouth or throat, bleeding sores, and restricted movement of the mouth, jaw, or tongue, leading to difficulty chewing and speaking. Other potential signs include a sensation of something stuck in the throat, swelling or lumps in the cheek, jaw, or neck, numbness, and unexplained pain.

One major complication involves tooth extraction and tongue pain. When cancer spreads to the facial bones or tongue, patients may require tooth extraction or surgical removal of part of the tongue containing the tumor or a portion of the jawbone. This often occurs in oral cancer stages 3 and 4. Such surgery can alter appearance and reduce the ability to speak and eat. When appropriate, doctors may recommend reconstructive surgery or prosthetic devices to mitigate these effects.

Untreated oral cancer can obstruct the airway as the tumor grows and presses on it, leading to respiratory problems. When this complication arises, doctors may perform a tracheostomy, creating an opening in the front of the neck to help the patient breathe more easily.

Malnutrition and dehydration are also common. Oral cancer patients may experience mouth swelling, sores, dry mouth, or loss of taste. Large tumors reduce the ability to chew and swallow, and can obstruct the esophagus. These issues impact nutrition, preventing patients from receiving adequate nutrients from food. To alleviate discomfort from eating, a gastric feeding tube may be inserted to deliver nutrients.

Several factors increase the risk of oral cancer. These include smoking, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Additionally, excessive sun exposure can increase the risk of lip cancer.

Prevention strategies focus on lifestyle changes and regular health practices. Individuals should quit smoking and avoid environments with secondhand smoke. Limiting alcohol and other alcoholic beverages is also advised. Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing teeth two times daily, using dental floss, mouthwash, and having regular dental check-ups contributes to early detection of abnormalities. In daily diets, increasing intake of green vegetables and fruits (rich in vitamins A, C, E, and antioxidants like strawberries, grapefruit, and grapes) supports a healthy immune system. Getting the HPV vaccine can further reduce the risk of infection with the virus causing oropharyngeal cancer.

Anh Chi (According to Very Well Health)