Oral ulcers and oral cancer: oral health issues that cannot be ignored

Author: School of Stomatology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Yang Damin, Postgraduate Science Lecture Team of School of Stomatology, Huazhong University

Photo: Liu Chao, Jianghan University School of Medicine

Supervisor: Professor Yang Shengli, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

I believe everyone has experienced it personally. Oral ulcers, a seemingly insignificant problem, often cause a lot of trouble in people's daily lives. However, when oral ulcers occur frequently or do not heal for a long time, we need to be vigilant, because this may be an early sign of oral cancer!

Oral ulcers: more than just a minor problem

Figure 2:

Oral ulcers, scientifically known as recurrent aphthous ulcers, are the most common oral mucosal diseases. They usually appear as recurrent round or oval ulcers that are "yellow, red, concave, and painful" and are recurrent, cyclical, and self-limiting. These ulcers may be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, hormonal changes, viral infections, vitamin deficiencies, etc. Oral ulcers can be divided into three types:

Mild (accounting for 75%-85%): diameter <10mm, number <10, lasting one to two weeks, and no scar formation.

Severe type (accounting for 10%-15%): diameter > 10mm, number of sores ranging from 1 to several, duration longer than two weeks or even 1-2 months, scars formed after healing, often accompanied by systemic symptoms of low fever, fatigue and local lymph node pain.

Herpes-like type (accounting for 5%-10%): diameter <5mm, number >10, scattered like "stars in the sky", lasting one to two weeks, and no scars are formed.

Preventive measures: Eat a balanced diet, eat less irritating food, maintain good oral hygiene, manage stress, etc.

Treatment method: Symptomatic treatment is the main method, with the goal of relieving pain, promoting ulcer healing, and prolonging the interval between recurrences. Benzocaine gel can be applied directly to the ulcer to relieve pain, or watermelon frost spray can be used to relieve symptoms.

However, if you have frequent mouth ulcers or the same ulcer lasts for more than three weeks without healing, you should pay enough attention to it. This may be the body's warning that there may be more serious health problems.

Oral Cancer: The Silent Killer

Figure 3:

Long-term chronic oral mucosal infection is at risk of developing oral cancer. Oral cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the oral cavity and maxillofacial area, including tongue cancer, gum cancer, cheek cancer, etc. The early symptoms of oral cancer are often not obvious and may include:

1. Non-healing ulcers appear in the mouth (for more than two weeks). Cancerous ulcers are often irregular in shape, with unclear edges, feel hard, may have bumps, are not smooth, and appear "crater-like"; they do not heal for a long time (for more than 2 weeks).

2. Lumps or lumps appear in the mouth.

3. Oral bleeding, especially bleeding without obvious cause.

4. Limited oral function, such as difficulty chewing and swallowing.

If the above symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention for professional examination in time.

Figure 4:

Conclusion

Although oral ulcers are common, they should not be ignored. Maintaining oral hygiene and regular oral examinations are the key to preventing oral cancer. If any suspicious symptoms occur, seek medical attention in time. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the cure rate and quality of life.