Oral cancer is caused by what?

Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
Updated on September 03, 2024
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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.

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Can oral cancer ulceration with pus infect others?

Oral cancer ulceration and pus discharge indicate that the tumor cells and cancer cells are locally invasive and infiltrative, which is quite severe. Since the mouth communicates and comes into contact with the external environment, bacterial infection is inevitable. Thus, ulceration often coincides with bacterial infection, leading to inflammation and pus discharge, which can infect others. In terms of infection, bacteria can definitely be transmitted through direct contact and bodily fluid contact. However, it is generally believed that tumor cells are not transmitted to others via direct contact or bodily fluids, considering that a normal person has a functioning immune system capable of recognizing and destroying a small number of tumor cells. Additionally, the likelihood of tumor cells from one person being transmitted to another through bodily fluids is considered very low.

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How should cervical lymph node metastasis of oral cancer be treated?

Patients with lymph nodes, if they experience short-term lymph node enlargement. It could potentially be a symptom of metastatic cancer of the lymph nodes, typically manifested in cancers of the nose, pharynx, lung, and esophagus. If the condition is severe, it may cause pain. If the disease spreads to the ear, a comprehensive examination of the patient is still necessary to find the root of the disease. Once the patient's disease begins to metastasize, it indicates that the cancer has reached an advanced stage, and it is recommended that the patient undergo comprehensive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If it is non-small cell lung cancer, targeted drug therapy is recommended, but it is generally advised to perform a targeted drug test in advance. If the mutation allows, it is permissible to take the medication; if there is no mutation, it is better not to use it.

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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.

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Will oral cancer cause facial swelling?

If one develops oral cancer, various swelling phenomena can occur in the tissues inside the mouth. Due to the swelling, it naturally causes the face to become swollen as well, directly affecting the condition of facial swelling during this process. As the degree of oral cancer varies from patient to patient, the severity of various swelling and pain phenomena in the oral tissues also differs, resulting in different facial conditions for each patient. If oral cancer is contracted and not treated and controlled in a timely manner, it can easily lead to swelling and pain in the oral tissues, ultimately causing facial deformity. From the above, it is evident that oral cancer can cause various swelling phenomena in the oral tissues, and due to the swelling and pain, it eventually leads to facial swelling, having a significant impact on the patient's appearance.

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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.