Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Before Knowing the Symptoms of Oral Cancer Know Your Mouth

The oral cavity is the only part of body containing both soft and hard components at one place. Soft components offer an easy source different types of diseases, precisely cancer. To know the symptoms of oral cancer one should have knowledge about the parts of oral cavity.

Hard components include the teeth and jaw bones. Whereas, the soft components include the cheeks, lips, tongue and also numerous glands which produce saliva.

Oral cavity provides a mixed environment for both hard and soft tissues

The mouth or the oral cavity is called the mirror of the body. This means whatever is going on inside the body is reflected in the mouth.
The oral cavity has a combination of both the hard and soft parts. In such combination of hard and soft tissues present together it is possible to have constant trauma and irritation, which can eventually cause cancer.

Therefore, it is very important to notice any changes in the soft parts of oral cavity to rule out symptoms of oral cancer. A knowledge about the normal component becomes necessary to suspect abnormal.

What Is Cancer??

Cancer is known to be older than mankind. An evidence to prove this fact comes from 1920s. A bone tumor was found in the skeleton of a dinosaur by S U Willinston. The history about cancer is extensive. It has affected humans from primordial times.

But the question is what is this disease all about and why it is considered to be one of the most dreaded ailment. To answer this one should know that the human body is made up of millions and trillions of cells, each of which have a particular function.

Cells undergoing division

Cells keep on dividing and degrading in the body. The process keeps on going without any fail, hence keeping the cells in balance. In case, the balance is disturbed, cells will divide without performing the normal function. In such a state these cells are liable to form a growth or tumor.

Definition of Cancer & Carcinogens

In this context the World Health Organization has given a definition of cancer which states that “cancer is a state of body in which there is uncontrolled growth of cells and this can affect any part of the body.”

Now the balance of these cells can be disturbed by multiple factors like environmental (radiation, chemicals), tobacco smoking/chewing and/or consumption of alcohol, dietary factors, viruses, genetic implications etc. All these cancer causing factors have been collectively termed as carcinogens.

The geographical distribution of cancer depends on the type of carcinogen which is frequently prevalent. That means more an organ is exposed to a particular carcinogen common in an area will cause cancer of that organ.

For example, in Western countries, cancers of the stomach and digestive tract are common owing to the sedentary life style.

On the other hand, in South East Asian countries cancers of the mouth and oro pharynx is common because of high consumption rate of tobacco.

India is a part of this South East Asian world, has high rates of tobacco consumption and hence, oral cancer.

Oral Cancer

Every year around 5,00,000 new cases of oral cancer are detected and majority of them are from developing world. It has been ranked as sixth most common cancer in Asia.

General Features affecting Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Age & Gender

Oral cancer earlier considered as a disease affecting the old, as the duration for exposure is prolonged with increasing age. The reduced immune defense system is another reason for increased risk of symptoms of oral cancer.
A change in lifestyle and early exposure to carcinogens in young age has shifted the burden of symptoms of oral cancer to this group.
Oral cancer affects males more commonly than females. But because of certain types of tobacco consumption practices in rural parts of developing countries like India and because of the changing lifestyle in urban regions the male to female ratio has become almost equal.

Affected Parts of Oral Cavity which show Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The site of occurrence of oral cancer depends on the prevalent risk factors in a particular geographical area. Tongue has been found to be the most commonly involved site for oral cancer in India. The other most common sites found are the cheek and gums.

Why Oral Cancer Is Fatal

Even with the advancements in treatment modalities the five year survival rate with oral cancer is low. Death rate is higher in advanced disease as compared to initial stages.
This can be attributed to the less awareness about the disease.
Advanced disease increases the treatment cost.
In cases where cancer cells harbor other distant organs producing secondary cancers.

Causes Of Oral Cancer

Tobacco

Tobacco consumption is the most important factor in causation of oral cancer. Tobacco usage is divided in two forms smoking and chewing.
Tobacco contains potent cancer causing substances . These are nicotine and nitrosamines.
Smoking of tobacco causes cancer of the food pipe, i.e. the oesophagus and the air passages.
Chewing of tobacco is potent enough to cause cancers of cheek, tongue and gums. This is because while chewing tobacco the tobacco is formed into a quid which is placed in between the cheek and gums. So, there is a high exposure to carcinogens in these areas.
Chewing of tobacco also produces stains on teeth which are esthetically unpleasant.
Chewing of tobacco causes staining of teeth which is esthetically unpleasant
There are various forms of tobacco which are available in the market these include gutkha, khaini, mawa etc.
Tobacco is also put to use by placing it on a betel lead along with other ingredients such as slaked lime(chuna), betel nut (supari). These ingredients have an additional insulting effects on the oral health.

Impact of Alcohol on Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Alcohol alone itself is a carcinogenic substance and known to produce cancer of the oral cavity, the pharynx, the larynx, oesophagus.
But along with it has a additive effect on the formation of cancer in mouth.
Many research studies have shown that alcohol when consumed along with tobacco definitely causes oral cancer.
The chemical substances present in alcohol which cause cancer are N-nitroso, urethane, inorganic arsenic and others.

Diet & Nutrition

The relationship between diet and nutrition and formation of oral cancer has been shown by many researchers.
The International Agency on Cancer Research(IARC) has stated that a low intake of fruits and vegetables increases the risk of cancer development many folds.
Diet has a major impact on the pathogenesis of oral cancer
One of the important risk factor found to cause oral cancer is deficiency of Iron. It produces as iron deficiency anemia in blood. In the oral cavity, this deficiency is seen as a syndrome called the Plummer-Vinson syndrome. These patients are more prone to form cancer of the oral cavity.
Mate : This is tea-like beverage which is commonly used in the parts of South America. This beverage has shown to be an independent factor in the causation of oral cancer. The important carcinogens present are Tannin and N-nitroso compounds.

Environmental Factors which can cause Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Viral infections : There are a few viruses which have been implicated in the causation of oral cancers. The most important one is Human Papilloma Virus(HPV). Another virus which has been found responsible is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Fungal infections : A fungi which is a causative organism of a fungal infection in the oral cavity the Candida albicans fungi. It has also been implicated as one of the causes for oral cancer. But this can only happen when an individual has low immunity.

Role Of Immunity in causing Symptoms of Oral Cancer

This is a function of the body which helps fight against diseases and infections. Various research studies have shown that immunity in the body also helps fight against cancer.
In certain situations like HIV , the immune status is disturbed thus making the patient prone to various types of diseases and cancers which also include oral cancer.

Occupational Risks

These include the carcinogens to which an individual is exposed at his/her work place especially in an industrial set up.
Excessive exposure to UV radiation
Certain chemical carcinogens such as Arsenic, Tannin, Sulfur, Pesticides etc.

Dental Factors producing Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Few recent factors added to the list of causative agents for oral cancer is poor oral hygiene.
Another factor is presence of a sharp tooth which can keep on causing trauma to the soft parts of the oral cavity, thus this continuous insult to the soft part is known to produce oral cancer.
One more significant cause could be presence of any sharp restoration, or any ill-fitting dentures.

Presentation of Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The continuous insult and irritation to soft part of the oral cavity produces oral cancer. But this is a gradual process and may take many years to take an aggressive form.

There are a few stages before a full blown cancer is formed. These have been termed as the pre-cancer stages.

Symptom is a presenting feature of any disease which is noticed by the patient and which makes them to seek for medical advise.
For Oral Pre-cancer the most remarkable presenting feature is presence of red or white patch. This usually does not produce any pain so often goes unnoticed.
Oral Precancer presents itself a white and/or red patch which is symptomless and is noticed only on routine dental examination
A painless red/white patch can be found on routine dental examination.
Oral Cancer can be suspected in individuals presenting with symptoms such as
Non-healing ulcer present more for than a week or fifteen days in the oral cavity.
An ulcer which is present for more than a week and not healing.
Prolonged pain in throat while swallowing gives suspicion of throat cancer.
Reduction in mouth opening.
Numbness of lips or any other part of face.
Intolerance to spicy or hot food articles.

How To Do A Self Exam for ruling out Symptoms of Oral Cancer

A few guidelines have been given to check the oral cavity and look for any growth or lump. Self examination of oral cavity should be performed regularly to look for symptoms of oral cancer.

The steps of mouth self examination

A Mouth Self Examination is performed by standing in front of the mirror.
The individual opens his/her mouth and looks for any abnormality and/discomfort.
In case any suspicious symptom felt the persons should refer to his/her dentist.
Oral Cancer detection in early stages is easy to treat.
Early detection gives better prognosis.

Conclusion

Oral cancer carries a huge cancer burden. In India, millions of oral cancer cases ares detected every year, owing to the high tobacco consumption rate. Early detection of oral cancer gives better results.