Early symptoms of oral cancer

Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human health, and its early symptoms are not obvious. Many cases are mistakenly thought to be chronic non-healing oral ulcers, and in fact, the best treatment opportunity has already been missed once it is discovered. Early manifestations include the appearance of lumps and nodules in the mouth. The lumps appear as white, smooth patches, and red patches can emerge in the mouth, along with ulcers. The mouth may also repeatedly bleed. If there are unexplained, long-lasting ulcers that do not heal, and the individual is over 40 years old with the presence of cauliflower-like growths, then it is crucial to immediately seek hospital treatment. Early smear tests and pathological examinations should be conducted for prompt diagnosis and treatment to achieve good outcomes.

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Can oral cancer be transmitted through kissing?

Can oral cancer be transmitted through kissing? From the perspective of cancer, general contact with bodily fluids and direct contact do not cause transmission. Even if the tumor cells from oral cancer are transmitted through saliva and come into contact with another person's body, if the other person has a normal immune system, this small amount of tumor cells, when contacted via this route, can be eliminated by the immune system. Therefore, transmission of oral cancer through kissing and bodily fluids generally does not occur; what gets transmitted are the bacteria and viruses in the mouth, such as the HPV virus, which may potentially be transmitted through kissing.

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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.

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Oral cancer is caused by what?

Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human life, and it is important to pay attention to early oral diseases to achieve the goal of early detection and treatment. There are many causes of oral cancer, mainly including the following points: The first is the patient's poor dietary habits, such as long-term alcohol abuse and smoking. Eating hard foods frequently can also cause chronic inflammation. Moreover, neglecting oral hygiene and not having the habit of brushing teeth morning and night can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi, causing inflammation in the mouth, which can induce oral cancer. Another cause is prolonged irritation of the oral mucosa by inflamed gums, the roots of teeth, and unsuitable dentures, which can produce chronic ulcers and carcinogenesis. A deficiency in vitamin A is also somewhat related to the development of oral cancer.

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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.

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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.