ORAL CANCER - CAUSES AND EARLY IDENTIFICATION

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Hi!!!!


Today we will discuss an especially important topic - ORAL CANCER- CAUSE AND EARLY  IDENTIFICATION.


We are living in an era where the incidence of cancers is ever increasing, and oral cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among Indian men. This rise in cases of oral cancers is associated with the use of tobacco products.

 

But one might think that tobacco use has escalated in all other parts of the world then why is India seeing such surge in cases.  

This is because tobacco usage India is seen in the smokeless form (chewing) along with areca nut lime, Pan masala etc.

 

While in the other countries tobacco usage is in the smoked form for e.g., cigarettes. This is attributed to the surge in cases of lung cancers seen in those countries. 

 

Other causes of cancer include alcohol consumption, certain viral infections like human papilloma virus infection and chronic irritation to the Oral tissues by agents like an ill-fitting denture.

 


 In any cancer treatment one of the most significant factors is the time of identification. 

Early diagnosis not only leads to less complication and less invasive treatment but also increases the longevity of life. 


 
So here I have listed some common clinical presentations that are usually neglected by the patient. 

 

 

1. A non-healing ulcer - This is the most common finding. An oral ulcer that persists for more than a reasonable amount of time should be dealt with suspicion. 

 

2. Painless in nature - I have come across many patients who have a massive ulcer for a prolonged period but did not seek medical attention just because it is painless in nature. 

One should keep in mind that the cancer lesions in their initial stages are painless. 

  

3. Irregular or indurated borders - A cancerous lesion has an irregular margin unlike a normal oral ulcer that has round or oval irregular margin.  

  

4. Color changes - Any change in color of a lesion whether it is whitish appearance or reddish appearance should evoke suspicion of a malignant change. 

 
5. Growth pattern - A cancerous lesion is fast growing in nature. It will expand at a faster rate than any other lesion.  

  

6. Secondary changes - A long standing lesion can present with changes such as hemorrhagic areas and discharge of blood or pus from the lesion. 

  

These are some easily identifiable but often neglected changes. Knowing them and early intervention can bring substantial changes in the treatment outcome. 

 
Stay tuned for more blogs....  

 


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