Oral Cancer: Don’t Underestimate a Small Ulcer

Many people think that a mouth ulcer is just ordinary “heat sores”. However, the reality shows that there have been quite a few cases coming for examination just because the ulcer lasted a long time without healing, and the final result was oral cancer.

The danger of oral cancer is not because the disease is rare, but because the early stage usually develops silently, causes little pain, and is very easy to overlook.

Initially, the disease may only manifest as:

• A long-lasting ulcer
• White patches in the oral cavity
• Red patches or slightly burning mucous membrane areas
• Numbness sensation on the tongue or oral mucosa

This subjective view of these small signs causes many patients to detect the disease only in the late stage.

1. What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a condition where malignant cells appear in the oral cavity. According to international statistics, the world records nearly 355,000 new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer each year.

More than 90% of cases are squamous cell carcinoma — the most common type of cancer in the mouth area.

Cancer can appear in many locations such as:

• Tongue
• Floor of mouth
• Cheek mucosa
• Gums
• Lips
• Hard palate

Among these, tongue cancer is the most common type.

2. Who Is at High Risk of Oral Cancer?

2.1. Long-term cigarette smokers

Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for oral cancer.

Smokers have about 3 times higher risk of developing the disease compared to non-smokers.

Not only cigarettes, but also:

• Tobacco
• Cigars
• Electronic cigarettes
• Secondhand smoking

can all cause prolonged damage to oral mucosa and increase cancer risk.

2.2. People who frequently drink alcohol and beer

Alcohol and beer make oral mucosa more vulnerable to injury and increase absorption of carcinogenic substances.

Particularly, when combining tobacco and alcohol, oral cancer risk increases significantly. This is a common factor in many oral cancer patients today.

2.3. People over 50 years old

Most cases of oral cancer occur in people over 50 years old.

However, currently, the disease is showing a trend of affecting younger people due to:

• Early smoking habits
• HPV infection
• Unhealthy lifestyle

2.4. People with prolonged ulcers or white patches in the mouth

Special attention should be paid if the following appear:

• Oral ulcers lasting more than 2 weeks without healing
• White patches that won’t disappear
• Prolonged red patches
• Abnormally thickened and hardened mucous membrane areas

These may be precancerous lesions and need early examination.

2.5. People with sharp teeth or prolonged denture irritation

A broken sharp tooth or poorly fitting denture causing prolonged irritation for many years can create chronic irritation on the oral mucosa.

This is a risk factor that many people often overlook.

2.6. People infected with HPV

HPV, especially HPV16, is closely associated with cancer of the pharynx and base of tongue.

Currently, many countries report an increasing trend of HPV-related cancer in young people, including those who don’t smoke.

3. Oral Cancer Signs That Should Not Be Ignored

Don’t wait until you have severe pain to see a doctor.

If any of the following signs last more than 2 weeks, patients should see a specialist in Dentistry & Oral Surgery or Otolaryngology as soon as possible:

• Long-lasting ulcer in the mouth
• White or red patches in the oral cavity
• Abnormal bleeding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Prolonged bad breath
• Numbness of tongue or lips
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Appearance of neck lymph nodes
• Abnormal tooth loosening

4. Can Oral Cancer Be Detected Early?

The answer is yes.

Unlike many other organs in the body, the oral cavity is an area that can be directly observed. Therefore, with regular dental check-ups, dentists can:

• Detect lesions early
• Perform early biopsy
• Treat early
• Significantly increase survival chances for patients

Many international studies show that screening and early detection help reduce mortality rates from oral cancer.

5. Don’t Underestimate a Small Ulcer in Your Mouth

Many oral cancer patients once thought:

“It’s probably just a heat sore.”

But many also came to the hospital when the disease was already in the late stage.

Yet, just one early check-up could help detect the disease while treatment is still effective.

Don’t let complacency cost you:

• Your health
• Your voice
• Your ability to chew
• And even your life

References

• Warnakulasuriya S, Kerr AR. Oral Cancer Screening: Past, Present, and Future. Journal of Dental Research. 2021;100(12):1313–1320.
• Rivera C. Essentials of Oral Cancer. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015;8(9):11884–11894.
• Sankaranarayanan R, Ramadas K, Thomas G, et al. Effect of Screening on Oral Cancer Mortality in Kerala, India: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial. Lancet. 2005;365(9475):1927–1933.
• Chuang SL, Su WW, Chen SL, et al. Population-Based Screening Program for Reducing Oral Cancer Mortality in Taiwan. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2017;35(15):1597–1603.
• Neville BW, Day TA. Oral Cancer and Precancerous Lesions. CA Cancer J Clin. 2002;52(4):195–215.
• Warnakulasuriya S. Global Epidemiology of Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer. Oral Oncology. 2009;45(4–5):309–316.
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – GLOBOCAN Oral Cancer Statistics.

PHUONG THANH DENTAL CLINIC

Sa Dec Branch: 483 Hung Vuong, Cai Son Block, Sa Dec Ward, Dong Thap Province.

Hotline: 02773 95 6868

Cao Lanh Branch: 783 Pham Huu Lau, Cao Lanh Ward, Dong Thap Province (Dong Thap University Campus)

Hotline: 02773 95 6869

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