Oral_Cancer

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest
survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than
half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer are ever cured.

Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications-some of
them chronic and painful-from their cancer treatment. These include dry mouth and
overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay.

If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues,
leading to disfigurement and pain.

Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing
oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk.

Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the
most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums and other
soft palate tissues in the mouth.

Warning Signs

In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy
areas and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these
abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult.