Oral cancer: recognizing the warning signs early for rapid treatment

Last update:December 08, 2024, 4:55 p.m. IST

Most of these signs can also present in non-cancerous conditions; however, a persistent occurrence for more than two weeks requires consultation with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and possible biopsy.

Chronic bad breath can be an indicator of oral cancer.

Oral cancer, also known as oral cancer, can present with different signs and symptoms that may involve different areas of the mouth, such as the tongue, gums, lips, and inner cheeks. These need to be identified at the right time so that they can be addressed appropriately. Here are some key signs to look out for:

Main symptoms of oral cancer

• Persistent mouth ulcers: The first stages of oral cancer may begin to manifest as a sore or ulcer in the mouth. If these sores do not heal for more than two weeks, appropriate consultation is necessary. These sores can sometimes be painful, especially in advanced stages of cancer.
• Red or white spots: Unusual white (leukoplakia) or red (erythroplakia) spots are precancerous changes, but may also represent a cancerous condition, which may become painful and require medical evaluation.
• Lumps or thickening: A growth or bump inside the lip, gum, or anywhere around the mouth may be cancerous. These lumps do not always tend to fade and are often firm despite their potential slow increase in size.
• Pain or difficulty swallowing: Pain may be felt when swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat. It may also manifest as a burning sensation when chewing.
• Changes in speech: Oral cancer can affect speech changes, including hoarseness, slurred words, or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.
• Lump in the neck: This is swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, the most common symptom, indicating that the cancer has spread from the oral cavity.
• Unexplained weight loss: A person may experience significant weight loss without dieting due to eating and swallowing problems due to oral cancer.
• Chronic bad breath: Bad breath is not entirely uncommon; However, persistent and worsening bad breath may indicate problems associated with oral cancers.
• Loose teeth: A change in dental health, such as teeth moving out of place without reason, is considered a symptom of oral cancer.
• Numbness or bleeding: Unexplained numbness in any area of ​​the mouth or unusual bleeding could be a warning sign of certain serious illnesses, including cancer.

Importance of early detection

Early recognition of these symptoms is important for effective treatment. Most of these signs can also present in non-cancerous conditions; however, a persistent occurrence for more than two weeks requires consultation with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and possible biopsy.

Risk factors

Certain factors increase the risk of developing oral cancer. This is the consumption of tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and family history of oral cancers, to name a few.