Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. These abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells. Change happens in the genetic material (DNA), Cell mutations can result in cancer.

The process of cancer cells leaving an area and growing in another body area, it is termed metastatic spread or metastasis. 

Mouth Cancer Symptoms & Signs: 

In the early stages, there are often no Symptoms, but peoples who are taking tobacco and heavy drinkers are prone to have oral cancer, should have regular check-ups with the dentist and they may identify early signs of cancer.

The mouth cancer symptoms & signs of oral cancer depend on the location & it can be varied. 

1) It generally thin, irregular, white patches or a mix of red and white patches in the mouth. The classic warning sign is a persistent rough patch with ulceration, and a raised border with minimal pain.

2) Mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal 3)  Lump or thickening of the skin or lining of the mouth

2) Mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal 3)  Lump or thickening of the skin or lining of the mouth

4) Jaw pain or stiffness, difficulty in swallowing or speaking.  5) Hoarse voice or change in voice. 6) Unexplained bleeding in the mouth, persistent ear ache & loose teeth.

7) Numbness, loss of sensation, pain/ tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck etc. 8) Weight loss may notice.

Precancerous Lesion 

it is a benign morphologically altered tissue that has a greater risk to transform malignancy- to understand everyone in a simple way you can say it is not cancer but this a tissue lesion, which has a very higher risk to become cancer. Examples: Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia etc.

Precancerous Condition: 

It is a disease or patient habit that does not necessarily alter the clinical appearance of local tissue but is associated with a greater than normal risk of Precancerous lesion. Example: Oral submucous fibrosis(OSMF).

How Mouth Cancer Diagnosed?

As part of your routine dental exam, your dentist will conduct an oral cancer check-up & screening. The dentist will do the biopsy to confirm. To better assess the size of the lesion CT scan, MRI may be needed, depending upon the condition other tests also may be needed.

Read in details about Oral Cancer

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