Prolonged oral ulcers need to be alert to oral cancer

 



 

 

classification
    Tumor


Oral cancer refers to epithelial cancer that occurs in the oral mucosa. It is called lip cancer, tongue cancer, buccal mucosal cancer, gum cancer, mouth floor cancer, and hard palate cancer due to different locations.

If the following five symptoms occur in the oral cavity, be aware of the possibility of oral cancer.

Color change: The normal oral mucosa is pink. If it becomes white, brown or black, it means that the mucosal epidermal cells have changed. In particular, the oral mucosa becomes rough, thickened or indurated, and oral mucosa leukoplakia and erythema appear, and it is likely that cancer has occurred.

Unhealed ulcers: The course of oral ulcers generally does not exceed two weeks. If symptoms such as burning sensation and pain do not improve after two weeks, beware of the possibility of oral cancer. Because oral cancer often manifests in the form of ulcers, the surrounding edges are raised, the center is uneven, and there is necrotic tissue coverage, and the pain is obvious.

Pain is obvious: In the early stage, there is generally no pain or only local abnormal friction. The pain is obvious after ulceration. As the tumor further invades the nerves, it can cause ear and throat pain.

Swollen lymph nodes: Oral cancer usually metastasizes to nearby cervical lymph nodes. Sometimes the primary lesion is small and the symptoms are not obvious, but metastatic cancer cells are found in the cervical lymph nodes. Therefore, if the lymph nodes in the neck suddenly swell, check the oral cavity.

Dysfunction: The tumor may invade the opening and closing muscles and mandibular joints, resulting in restricted opening and closing movement.

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