[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] A sore mouth and a tingling tongue are often dismissed as simple mouth ulcers caused by fatigue. In most cases, the inflammation is temporary and heals on its own. But if a wound in the same area lasts for two to three weeks or more, or if white or red patches do not go away and keep recurring, it may be an early sign of oral cancer.
Oral cancer refers to cancers that develop in various parts of the mouth, including the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the buccal mucosa, the gums, the palate, the lips and the jawbone. Many people think of oral cancer as cancer that occurs only on the tongue, but in fact it can arise in multiple tissues that make up the mouth. More than 90% of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which develop from the squamous epithelial cells that line the oral mucosa.
Other forms of cancer, including salivary gland cancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma and lymphoma, can also occur in the oral cavity.
Smoking is the most common risk factor for oral cancer. Smokers face more than twice the risk of developing the disease compared with non-smokers, and the risk rises even further when smoking is combined with heavy drinking. Other known risk factors include vitamin and mineral deficiencies, low intake of fruits and vegetables, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, ultraviolet exposure, chronic irritation from poorly fitting dentures or prosthetics, and poor oral hygiene.
In its early stages, oral cancer may cause no particular pain or may look like a common inflammation, making it easy to overlook. Many patients delay treatment until the disease has progressed. Warning signs that require prompt specialist care include mouth ulcers that do not heal for more than three weeks, white patches that cannot be wiped away, red patches, lumps in the mouth, sudden loosening of teeth, and wounds that do not heal for more than a month after tooth extraction. If a lump is felt in the neck, the possibility of lymph node metastasis should also be checked.
Because the mouth is a part of the body that can be directly observed, suspicious lesions can often be detected through a specialist's visual examination and palpation alone. If abnormal findings are identified during screening, a biopsy is performed to make a definitive diagnosis. Depending on the case, imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) are used to assess the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread.
Early oral cancer can often be treated successfully with surgery alone, but advanced cases may require surgery combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In particular, when the surgical area is extensive, reconstructive surgery is also performed to preserve eating and speech functions as much as possible and to minimize changes in appearance.
Kang Min-seok, a professor of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, said, "Unlike other cancers, oral cancer can be directly checked through the mouth, which makes early detection possible." He added, "The earlier oral cancer is found, the better the treatment outcome, and speech, chewing and swallowing functions can also be preserved. That is why it is important to pay attention to oral health in everyday life."
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
