3 types of precancerous lesions and 5 types of inducing factors, these 8 groups of people should be careful about oral cancer!

Author: Yu Guangyan, Chief Physician, Peking University School of Stomatology

Honorary President of the Stomatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association

Reviewer: Li Song, Chief Physician, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University

Director of the Chinese Stomatological Association

Oral cancer is also a relatively common tumor. In my country, there are approximately 40,000 new cases of oral cancer every year, which is a very large number.

Figure 1 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

Oral cancer includes tumors of the gums, tongue, cheeks, jaw, floor of mouth, jawbone, lips, oropharynx, salivary glands, and facial skin. It not only refers to tumors in the oral cavity, but also includes the maxillofacial area. In other words, except for the teeth, tumors may occur in almost all parts of the oral and maxillofacial area. These are collectively referred to as oral and maxillofacial tumors.

No matter what kind of tumor it is, preventing it from happening is the most important thing. When talking about prevention, we need to know the inducing factors and causes of the tumor, and which ones are precancerous lesions.

1. What are the factors that induce oral cancer?

Oral cancer has a certain relationship with heredity. People with a family history of oral cancer should be vigilant and pay attention to screening.

Chewing betel nut is a bad habit. Arecoline in betel nut is a clear carcinogen. People who have the habit of chewing betel nut should quit it as much as possible.

Figure 2 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

Local irritation factors, such as tooth decay, only a residual crown or root remains, most of the tooth tissue has fallen off, the residual crown and root are often sharp, which will irritate the tongue and local oral tissues, and may cause cancer over time, so if there are residual crowns and roots, you should go to the dentistry department for treatment in time. It is recommended that everyone have regular oral examinations to detect adverse irritants in time.

There is also a certain relationship between vitamin deficiency and oral cancer, especially vitamin A deficiency. Because vitamins play a certain role in maintaining the normal state of the oral mucosal epithelium, appropriate vitamin supplementation is still necessary.

Long-term smoking and drinking. There is a component in tobacco leaves called tar, which is a clear carcinogen. Long-term smoking can easily lead to oral cancer; alcohol is also a predisposing factor for oral cancer. Smoking plus drinking, the two factors are superimposed, and the incidence of oral cancer increases significantly, so it is recommended to quit smoking and limit alcohol. Oral cancer is more common in men than in women, which may be related to smoking and drinking, which is a very important factor.

2. Which type of lesions are precancerous lesions of oral cancer?

Oral mucosal leukoplakia, erythema, and lichen planus are clear precancerous lesions. The canceration rate of leukoplakia is about 5%, which is relatively low; the canceration rate of lichen planus is similar to that of leukoplakia; the canceration rate of erythema is higher, so when these three lesions appear, they should be treated in time.

The epithelium of leukoplakia is often over-keratinized, and vitamin A can reduce keratinization. When leukoplakia occurs, especially when there are obvious symptoms, vitamin A will be used for treatment. When leukoplakia has a tendency to become malignant, it needs to be surgically removed in time.

Generally, surgical excision is recommended for erythema to eliminate the diseased tissue that may become cancerous as soon as possible.

Lichen planus generally does not require surgical treatment and can be treated with medication.

3. Will oral ulcers turn into cancer?

There are several types of oral ulcers. The most common is recurrent oral ulcers, which are very painful, but usually heal themselves in about a week. After healing, you will not feel anything. However, they are easy to reappear. Some may occur once a month, or three to six months, and some may be more frequent. Recurrent oral ulcers are benign lesions and rarely become malignant. Don't worry if you have this phenomenon.

The second type of ulcer is called traumatic ulcer. The oral mucosa is injured, such as by a bone or fish bone, and then an ulcer occurs. There are some adverse irritants in the mouth, such as residual crowns and roots, or dentures that are not made very well, which are called bad dentures. These bad dentures may also cause irritation. The ulcers caused by these irritations are called traumatic ulcers.

Traumatic ulcers will heal quickly once the irritant is removed, and in most cases they will not turn into cancer. If the ulcer still does not heal after two to three weeks after the irritant is removed, you should be highly alert and see a doctor to see if there is a possibility of cancer.