Attention! Pain in the mouth can be a sign of cancer!

Sores in the mouth can occur for many different reasons and should not only be considered a symptom of cancer. There are several symptoms of sores in the mouth that can be associated with cancer, but they are usually associated with more common and less serious causes.

Oral cancers include cancers that occur inside the mouth, mostly the lower lip, in the larynx, tonsils or behind the salivary glands. The most common sites are the floor of the mouth and the tongue. Almost all of them originate from the mucosa covering the mouth, tongue and lips and from multilayered squamous epithelium (squamous) cells. Cancers are the specialty of Ear-Nose-Throat and Head-Neck surgeons. In order to recognize oral cancers, which are 2 times more common in men than in women, it is necessary to undergo regular doctor and dentist examinations.

What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer? It appears as white, red and white spots and sores inside the mouth and on the lips. White spots are called 'leukoplakia' and are lesions that can transform malignant. Red spots are called 'erythroplakia' and have a higher risk of cancer. When these spots are mixed red and white, they are called 'erythroleukoplakia'.

Symptoms of oral cancer are as follows: Wounds and swellings in the mouth and lips that do not go away Thinning, abrasion and wound formation in the gums Recurrent and bleeding wounds Color change in the mouth, formation of a patchy appearance Numbness and numbness in the mouth and tongue of unknown cause Sensitivity and pain in the mouth and tongue of unknown cause Stubborn sores that do not go away, both inside and outside the mouth, on the face and neck, and the sores bleed easily Prolonged and persistent feeling of something stuck in the throat

Bad breath Difficulty chewing and swallowing Difficulty speaking or moving the jaw Prolonged hoarseness and change in voice Unjustified tooth loss or change in the form of the teeth, if any, deterioration of the fit of the dentures to the mouth Swelling and lump formation in the neck and throat area Unplanned weight loss

How is Oral Cancer Diagnosed? As with all cancers, early diagnosis of oral and lip cancers is vital in treatment. In order to catch cancer at an early stage, it is useful to have regular doctor, dentist and check-up examinations. During the examination, if the doctor sees a suspicious wound or swelling on the inside of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, gums or the floor of the mouth and lips, he/she wants to perform a biopsy. The piece of tissue to be taken under local or general anesthesia is examined under a microscope and checked for cancer cells.

If cancer cells are detected, the disease is staged to determine the extent of the tumor and the possibility that it has spread to other organs. New tests are necessary for this. Radiological examinations such as direct radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic examinations and laboratory tests are required to make a treatment plan. When cancers of the oral cavity are diagnosed early, 90% cure rate is achieved.