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Oral cancer
Is a gum lump oral cancer?
Many oral diseases can present with gum swelling, such as gingivitis, periodontal abscess, and periapical periodontitis, all of which can cause swelling. Therefore, gum swelling is not necessarily indicative of oral cancer. However, the early symptoms of oral cancer are not very clear and typically include persistent oral ulcers that heal slowly, bleeding, pain, and swelling. Particularly in patients over 40 years of age, if such symptoms are present, it is advisable to visit a dental specialist hospital for an examination to treat the primary disease timely and to rule out the possibility of oral cancer.
Can oral cancer patients drink alcohol?
Patients who have been definitively diagnosed with oral cancer are best advised not to consume alcohol, which can be classified into the following situations: First, patients in whom oral cancer is discovered late and who are unable to undergo curative surgery still have cancerous lesions present. The vasculature of the tumor surface is relatively fragile, and drinking alcohol can cause damage to the local mucosa, leading to significant pain and even bleeding. Second, patients who have been diagnosed early with oral cancer and have undergone surgery will have scar tissue formation locally. Drinking alcohol can cause further damage to the mucosa and even irritate the scars. Third, patients who receive radiation therapy for oral cancer have normal oral mucosa that is already susceptible to radiation damage. Drinking alcohol at this time can exacerbate this type of radiation-induced mucosal damage.
Can oral cancer be transmitted through saliva?
Oral cancer, unlike some other cancers, cannot be transmitted to others through bacteria or pathogens via saliva or other means. Thus, oral cancer is not contagious. The cancer cells in oral cancer can only metastasize within the individual themselves, causing proliferation and spreading of the disease. Therefore, even if it leads to cancer in other parts of the body, it is not transmissible to others. Based on these symptoms, living or sharing meals with someone suffering from oral cancer does not pose a risk of contagion through saliva.
Can oral cancer be treated?
Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human life, and it is crucial to detect and treat it early for optimal outcomes. Individuals over the age of 40, especially those frequently experiencing oral ulcers, particularly with symptoms of bleeding and pain, or when there is a growth at the base of the ulcer, should immediately seek hospital examination for timely pathological diagnosis. Early detection followed by prompt surgery, and deciding whether further radiotherapy or chemotherapy is needed based on the severity of the condition, can achieve the best treatment results. Therefore, oral cancer is treatable and can be cured if detected early.
How should cervical lymph node metastasis of oral cancer be treated?
Patients with lymph nodes, if they experience short-term lymph node enlargement. It could potentially be a symptom of metastatic cancer of the lymph nodes, typically manifested in cancers of the nose, pharynx, lung, and esophagus. If the condition is severe, it may cause pain. If the disease spreads to the ear, a comprehensive examination of the patient is still necessary to find the root of the disease. Once the patient's disease begins to metastasize, it indicates that the cancer has reached an advanced stage, and it is recommended that the patient undergo comprehensive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If it is non-small cell lung cancer, targeted drug therapy is recommended, but it is generally advised to perform a targeted drug test in advance. If the mutation allows, it is permissible to take the medication; if there is no mutation, it is better not to use it.
Does oral cancer cause an increase in carcinoembryonic antigen?
When oral cancer occurs, there is a possibility that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels may be elevated. Among the current mainstream tumor markers, CEA is the most broadly applicable. Elevated levels of CEA can occur in a variety of tumors. However, an increase in CEA does not necessarily mean that oral cancer is present. Due to the relatively superficial location of the oral cavity, specific physical examinations of the mouth, or direct visualization of the inside of the mouth using auxiliary instruments, can be used to detect lesions associated with oral cancer. Once oral cancer is diagnosed, the primary treatments are surgery and radiotherapy. After surgery and radiotherapy, adjunctive chemotherapy can be used to improve treatment efficacy.
Can oral cancer be detected by a CT scan?
Oral cancer cannot be detected through a CT scan. Oral CT, also known as cone beam CT (CBCT), is referred to by dentists as CBCT. This type of scan is more effective for assessing hard tissues. If one wants to examine soft tissues, the results are not as good. CT scans are only effective for observing the teeth and jawbone within the mouth, and can only identify the presence of a tumor, but cannot differentiate between benign and malignant tumors. Therefore, oral cancer cannot be detected using this method.
Can oral cancer HPV be detected through testing?
Oral cancer can generally be detected through HPV testing. For tumors in our head and neck regions, it is currently believed that the HPV positivity rate is relatively higher in tumors occurring in the oropharynx and hypopharynx areas. There are several methods for HPV testing: one is testing the HPV virus itself, and another is testing for the P16 protein. Therefore, detection can be carried out through throat swabs, saliva, and bodily fluids, which can identify the virus and determine which types are high-risk and which are subtypes, and then look at the P16 protein to see if there are pathological tissues, detecting the negativity or positivity of this P16 protein through pathological tissues.
What foods are good to eat for oral cancer?
Patients with oral cancer should pay special attention to their diet to ensure they are providing their body with added nutrition. Consuming milk, chicken soup, fish soup, and porridge can help supplement nutrients. Additionally, consuming more vitamins by eating fruits and vegetables can enhance the patient's resistance. If the diet is further complemented with high-protein, high-vitamin, high-calorie, and low-fat foods, it can facilitate a quicker recovery. During the treatment of oral cancer, besides taking medications, patients should also be mindful of their diet and maintain a positive and optimistic outlook, which can greatly assist in the treatment of the disease.
Oral cancer most commonly occurs at what age?
Early signs of oral cancer include persistent ulcers, pain, and abnormal growths, often with symptoms not very obvious initially, which many may overlook. Severe cases can manifest as difficulty in swallowing, a burning sensation in the mouth, and symptoms like lumps and nodules, which can lead to other complications. Oral cancer can occur in any group but is predominantly seen in adults, especially in those over the age of 40. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention in clinical settings. If there are discomforts in the mouth, persistent ulcers, particularly in individuals over 40, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to rule out the possibility of oral cancer.