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Oral cancer
Does oral cancer cause an increase in carcinoembryonic antigen?
When oral cancer occurs, there is a possibility that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels may be elevated. Among the current mainstream tumor markers, CEA is the most broadly applicable. Elevated levels of CEA can occur in a variety of tumors. However, an increase in CEA does not necessarily mean that oral cancer is present. Due to the relatively superficial location of the oral cavity, specific physical examinations of the mouth, or direct visualization of the inside of the mouth using auxiliary instruments, can be used to detect lesions associated with oral cancer. Once oral cancer is diagnosed, the primary treatments are surgery and radiotherapy. After surgery and radiotherapy, adjunctive chemotherapy can be used to improve treatment efficacy.
Can oral cancer be detected by a CT scan?
Oral cancer cannot be detected through a CT scan. Oral CT, also known as cone beam CT (CBCT), is referred to by dentists as CBCT. This type of scan is more effective for assessing hard tissues. If one wants to examine soft tissues, the results are not as good. CT scans are only effective for observing the teeth and jawbone within the mouth, and can only identify the presence of a tumor, but cannot differentiate between benign and malignant tumors. Therefore, oral cancer cannot be detected using this method.
Can oral cancer HPV be detected through testing?
Oral cancer can generally be detected through HPV testing. For tumors in our head and neck regions, it is currently believed that the HPV positivity rate is relatively higher in tumors occurring in the oropharynx and hypopharynx areas. There are several methods for HPV testing: one is testing the HPV virus itself, and another is testing for the P16 protein. Therefore, detection can be carried out through throat swabs, saliva, and bodily fluids, which can identify the virus and determine which types are high-risk and which are subtypes, and then look at the P16 protein to see if there are pathological tissues, detecting the negativity or positivity of this P16 protein through pathological tissues.
What foods are good to eat for oral cancer?
Patients with oral cancer should pay special attention to their diet to ensure they are providing their body with added nutrition. Consuming milk, chicken soup, fish soup, and porridge can help supplement nutrients. Additionally, consuming more vitamins by eating fruits and vegetables can enhance the patient's resistance. If the diet is further complemented with high-protein, high-vitamin, high-calorie, and low-fat foods, it can facilitate a quicker recovery. During the treatment of oral cancer, besides taking medications, patients should also be mindful of their diet and maintain a positive and optimistic outlook, which can greatly assist in the treatment of the disease.
Oral cancer most commonly occurs at what age?
Early signs of oral cancer include persistent ulcers, pain, and abnormal growths, often with symptoms not very obvious initially, which many may overlook. Severe cases can manifest as difficulty in swallowing, a burning sensation in the mouth, and symptoms like lumps and nodules, which can lead to other complications. Oral cancer can occur in any group but is predominantly seen in adults, especially in those over the age of 40. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention in clinical settings. If there are discomforts in the mouth, persistent ulcers, particularly in individuals over 40, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to rule out the possibility of oral cancer.
Can oral cancer be transmitted through kissing?
Can oral cancer be transmitted through kissing? From the perspective of cancer, general contact with bodily fluids and direct contact do not cause transmission. Even if the tumor cells from oral cancer are transmitted through saliva and come into contact with another person's body, if the other person has a normal immune system, this small amount of tumor cells, when contacted via this route, can be eliminated by the immune system. Therefore, transmission of oral cancer through kissing and bodily fluids generally does not occur; what gets transmitted are the bacteria and viruses in the mouth, such as the HPV virus, which may potentially be transmitted through kissing.
Do people with oral cancer experience weight loss?
Oral cancer is a serious threat to human life among oral diseases, and its early symptoms are not particularly obvious, so it is necessary to remind people to pay attention. In addition to some local ulcers, patients with oral cancer have neoplastic cancer tissue growing at the ulcer base. The cancer tissue will develop and damage the masseter and chewing muscles, and it will also cause dysphagia and speech disorders, as well as lead to lymph node metastasis. As cancer cells grow and develop rapidly, they consume a large amount of the body's energy, so patients with oral cancer will experience significant weight loss in the later stages. At this time, in addition to cancer treatment, supportive symptomatic treatment is also needed to enhance the body's resistance.
Early symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human health, and its early symptoms are not obvious. Many cases are mistakenly thought to be chronic non-healing oral ulcers, and in fact, the best treatment opportunity has already been missed once it is discovered. Early manifestations include the appearance of lumps and nodules in the mouth. The lumps appear as white, smooth patches, and red patches can emerge in the mouth, along with ulcers. The mouth may also repeatedly bleed. If there are unexplained, long-lasting ulcers that do not heal, and the individual is over 40 years old with the presence of cauliflower-like growths, then it is crucial to immediately seek hospital treatment. Early smear tests and pathological examinations should be conducted for prompt diagnosis and treatment to achieve good outcomes.
Oral cancer is caused by what?
Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human life, and it is important to pay attention to early oral diseases to achieve the goal of early detection and treatment. There are many causes of oral cancer, mainly including the following points: The first is the patient's poor dietary habits, such as long-term alcohol abuse and smoking. Eating hard foods frequently can also cause chronic inflammation. Moreover, neglecting oral hygiene and not having the habit of brushing teeth morning and night can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi, causing inflammation in the mouth, which can induce oral cancer. Another cause is prolonged irritation of the oral mucosa by inflamed gums, the roots of teeth, and unsuitable dentures, which can produce chronic ulcers and carcinogenesis. A deficiency in vitamin A is also somewhat related to the development of oral cancer.
Oral cancer is prone to metastasize to locations
If you have oral cancer, the most likely place for it to spread is the throat. The mouth is connected to the throat, and cancer cells in the mouth grow very quickly. These cancer cells also have a high tendency to spread. If left unchecked over time, there is a possibility that they will spread throughout the body. Moreover, since the mouth and throat are so close to each other, the throat is the most likely first place to be affected. If a patient discovers they have oral cancer, they should seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from spreading.