Wednesday, 4 February 2015

610. Oral cancer

Questions and useful answers
1 - WHAT IS ORAL CANCER?
Oral cancer is defined by the International Classification of Diseases by all malignant tumors affecting any location in the oral cavity from the lips to the neck (including pharynx and tonsils). Its most common site is the floor of the mouth (under the tongue mucosa), board side of the tongue and soft palate.
Over 90% of these cancers are called carcinomas affecting the oral mucosa epithelium. The other forms represent rarer tumors and include lymphomas, sarcomas, melanomas, etc. Oral cancer is associated with high mortality rates, which is due in large part to its late diagnosis.
2 - ORAL CANCER is FREQ?
Carcinoma of the head and neck is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and accounts for approximately 2.8% of all cancers. Oral cancer is more common in men above 45 years of age, increasing significantly to 65 years.
3 - WHAT CANCER RISK FACTORS ORAL?
Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors in the development of oral cancer. Tobacco smoke is associated with several changes of the oral mucosa and has a direct carcinogenic effect on epithelial cells. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 patients diagnosed with oral cancer consume or have consumed tobacco, and these patients one 5-7 times higher risk of developing oral cancer compared with non-smokers.
Oral Cancer is thus strongly associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, that is, the consumption of tobacco and alcohol associated with a reduced intake of vegetables and fruits and so poor in foods containing antioxidants.
4 - HOW TO MANIFEST ORAL CANCER? WHAT ARE YOUR KEY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
Carcinomas of the oral cavity may manifest as a spot of variable color, usually white or reddish, a mass more or less hard or an ulcer that does not heal. Most lesions are painless in its early stages, becoming progressively painful.
Examples of signs and symptoms: persistent ulcers, hardened areas, areas of tissue growth, lesions that do not heal, tooth mobility, pain, paresthesia (loss of sensitivity), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), white and red lesions, lymphadenopathy (nodes enlarged lymph).
5 - HOW IS THIS ORAL CANCER?
Oral cancer is mainly with surgery and radiation therapy, alone or combined. The key to treatment is early diagnosis of injuries, a factor which significantly improves survival rates to the disease.
6 - ORAL CANCER KILLS!
Despite the advances of recent years in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer this continues to have a very high mortality rate. It is estimated that about 6 in 10 patients of oral cancer die within 5 years after the date of diagnosis. The failure appears to be linked to the fact that most cases are not diagnosed in time.
7 - HOW CAN I PREVENT ORAL CANCER?
The prevention of oral cancer involves:
-adopting a healthy lifestyle;
-cessation of tobacco use;
-reducing the consumption of alcohol;
-regular consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits as a protective factor;
-regular visits to the dentist to allow such lesion is diagnosed in its earliest stages.
8 - WHAT IS A CANCER SCREENING ORAL CONSULTATION?
In the oral cancer screening consultation the dentist performing a visual inspection of all oral structures (lips, tongue, gums, palate, cheeks, floor of the mouth, etc.) as well as associated structures to the oral cavity (eg .: salivary glands, neck). The palpation of oral and peri-oral structures is also performed to detect any increase in volume and hardened areas. They can also be ordered complementary diagnostic tests (ex .: radiographs).
When a suspicious lesion is found, a biopsy of it may be recommended, allowing for confirmation of the initial diagnosis and their signs of malignancy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Oral Cancer 6 is the most common cancer in the world;
-The main risk factors are tobacco and alcohol;
-Arises from an asymptomatic, persisting an injury for an indefinite time, only becoming painful late;
-The oral cancer mortality rate is high;
-The key to treatment is a timely diagnosis;
-The risk of developing cancer in the oral cavity decreases with years of smoking cessation. After 15 years of cessation, the risk approaches the values of a non-smoker.
Your dentist is the health professional responsible for the study, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of anomalies and diseases of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated structures.
The dentist by regular contact with their patients, is in a unique position to contribute to the early detection and prevention of oral cancer. See it regularly, at least 2 times a year.

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