What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is abnormal growth of cells in any part of mouth or oral cavity.
Oral cavity includes:
- Lips
- Inside of mouth
- Gums Teeth and Tongue
- Smoking Tobacco – cigarette, cigar, pipe Smokeless Tobacco – chewing, snuff Excessive Alcohol consumption Mouth irritation – sharp teeth or dentures.
- Sun exposure or Radiation
- Poor nutrition or Reduced Immunity
- Viral Infection (Human Papilloma Virus)
Can screening detect early cancer?
Yes. There is a pre-cancer stage. It can be detected by self-examination of mouth or routine dental examination.
- White or Red patch
- Sore in the mouth that bleeds or does not heal
- Lump or thickening Feeling of Roughness or Stiffness inside mouth late symptoms of oral cancer
- Difficulty in chewing and swallow
- Pain and Loosening of teeth
- Numbness or persistent bad breath
- Weight loss
Treatment
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy