Suspected mouth pain, inflammation, oral cancer for more than two weeks...symptoms of bleeding and voice changes
Apr 03, 2025
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Oral cancer is a cancer that occurs in the mouth, tongue, gums, cheeks, roof of mouth, and jawbone. Oral cancer is a rare cancer that accounts for 3-5% of the total cancer incidence, but the later the stage is detected, the more difficult it is to treat, and the wider the range of resection, which can cause not only functional damage but also external changes, so early detection is important.
In the early stages of oral cancer, there is no pain or symptoms are insignificant, so it can be easily overlooked. Even if there are symptoms, they can be easily overlooked because they show symptoms similar to common stomatitis or gum disease, which requires attention. If the symptoms are severe, a detailed examination is necessary if pain and swelling in the jaw area, bleeding of unknown cause, and voice changes occur.
Three out of 10 oral cancer patients suffer from tongue cancer, which causes malignant tumors on the tongue.
This is because the tongue is the area that receives the most stimulation from the outside. In particular, cancer occurs well on both sides of the tongue, which is chewed well with teeth and is easily stimulated by prosthetics. In addition, oral cancer may occur at the bottom of the gums or tongue.
The cause of oral cancer has not been clearly identified, but smoking is considered a representative cause. There is a high possibility that harmful substances in cigarettes will continue to stimulate the mucous membranes of the mouth and transform into cancer cells. In addition, drinking, HPV (human papillomavirus), and poor oral hygiene are also considered risk factors.
In order to prevent oral cancer, it is necessary to pay attention to oral hygiene management and to quit smoking and abstain from alcohol. In particular, the incidence of oral cancer is high in men who enjoy smoking and drinking, so smoking cessation and excessive drinking must be avoided. In addition, periodic examinations are required because wounds on the oral mucous membranes that are continuously damaged by dentures or dental prosthetics that do not fit well may cause oral cancer.
Oral cancer treatment depends on the location and stage of the tumor. Surgical treatment is usually performed first, and radiation therapy or chemotherapy is combined. In surgical treatment, the tumor and surrounding tissue that the tumor has invaded are removed together through the oral cavity, neck, and jaw. After that, reconstruction is performed using the bones of the arm or leg, and the chest area. After surgery, you may have difficulty pronouncing or eating, so rehabilitation treatment is performed at the same time.
The earlier the diagnosis of oral cancer, the better the prognosis. For early cancer, the 5-year survival rate is over 90%. However, as the stage progresses, the survival rate decreases significantly, so early detection through regular checkups is essential. Since there is a possibility of recurrence of new oral or head and neck cancer even after treatment, thorough oral hygiene management and regular checkups are important.
Hwang Bo-yeon, a professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital, said "The earlier detection of oral cancer, the higher the treatment effect and the minimization of functional damage."If inflammation and pain persist in the mouth for more than two weeks, visiting a dentist regularly for examination should lead to early diagnosis and treatment," he advised.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
