Oral cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, oral cancer kills 1 person every hour on a daily basis.
Unfortunately this happens due to lack of public information, with the result that the diagnosis is made in the last stages, when it is too late. Even today many people do not know that cancer can occur in the oral cavity. As a result, they are unaware of the risk factors or otherwise carcinogens and can not be protected.
In what places in the mouth can it appear?
Cancer can occur anywhere. On the gums, on the palate, on the cheeks, on the tongue, on the lips, on the floor, on the jaw bones. The most common site of oral cancer is the lower lip and the intraoral lips of the tongue. Oral cancer occurs in many different forms. That is, it does not have to appear in the form of a tumor or a tumor. It can appear in the form of white plaque, red area, erosion, ulceration, wound and end of tumor.
What is the etiology of cancer?
The pathogenesis of cancer is due to a complex mechanism which has not yet been fully elucidated. This mechanism is expressed as a disturbance of cellular functions due to the effect of a variety of exogenous factors. The exogenous carcinogens known to date are classified into three major groups:
1. Chemicals - SMOKING
Cigarette or pipe smoking, unlike cigarettes, is more closely linked to oral cancer. Alcohol in combination with smoking plays an important role in increasing the incidence of precancerous lesions. Alcohol alone is not carcinogenic but facilitates the diffusion of tobacco producers into cells.
2. Radiation
Such as solar radiation and radioactive elements. In particular, people who due to their profession are exposed to sunlight for long periods of time often have lesions on their lower lip.
3. Viruses
Such as HPV (human papillomavirus)
4. Chronic irritants and traumatic factors
Such as damaged and sharp teeth, poor oral hygiene, prosthetics and dentures that do not fit well. Carcinomas are almost always superficial and this makes them visible and accessible in the early stages.
Therefore, early diagnosis is easy and important in order to refer patients in time for treatment in order to effectively treat oral cancer. Carcinomas are more common in the elderly over the age of 45, although in the last decade there have been several cases, unfortunately, in younger people as well. Oral cancer strikes young people even under the age of 30, a fact that has worried the scientific community. In societies that follow the western way of life, men are affected more often than women, but the proportion now tends to be reversed. Initially these lesions are asymptomatic and do not cause pain to the patient. However, in advanced stages these lesions can be painful and make it difficult for the patient to chew or speak. When the dentist finds similar suspicious lesions in the oral cavity, he must inform the patient so that the biopsy can be performed. Patients with lower lip cancer have a five-year survival rate of more than 90%, while patients with tongue cancer have a five-year survival rate of 20-30%.
Treatment
The safest way to effectively treat oral cancer and cancer in general is prevention. The main responsibility of the oral cavity lies with the dentist. It is responsible for influencing the public for a healthier lifestyle and for better oral health. At each visit of the patient, the dentist must thoroughly examine the oral cavity for the early diagnosis of either precancerous lesions before they develop or the cancers themselves in order to treat them in a timely and successful manner. Of course, responsibilities are also attributed to patients. It is reasonable that people who are not used to visiting the dentist and neglect their oral health can not be clearly diagnosed, at least in time.
- So your mouth should be checked regularly by a dentist, even if you wear dentures, especially if you smoke or consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day.
- When brushing, check your mouth for damage, which if it does not go away within 2 weeks you should seek the advice of your dentist.
- Finally, in case of bleeding or sudden gum problem or tooth movement, you should visit your dentist. Prevention is mainly based on the avoidance of carcinogens. Avoiding smoking and moderate-sensible use of alcoholic beverages along with maintaining good oral hygiene contribute significantly to reducing the incidence of oral cancer. Those who consume large amounts of alcohol and are heavy smokers are 38 times more likely to develop cancer than those who abstain from alcohol and tobacco.
The second best way to treat cancer is early diagnosis and treatment. The earlier the stage at which cancer is detected, the higher the five-year survival rate. Treatment is usually surgical resection of the lesion which is combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
It all starts here: Healthy mouth = Healthy body.
Dr. Maria Lakkotrypi, Dentist