Visiting a dentist once in six months is a routine that most of us choose to skip, unless there's a particularly nagging ulcer or toothache. But a run-of-the-mill dental examination can save you lot of trouble, as it is the first step in preventing, detecting and treating oral cancer.
Oral cancer is among the leading cancers in men, while the incidence is relatively lesser in women. According to A.N.Vaideeswaran, senior consultant radiation oncologist, Apollo Institute of Oncology, oral cancer is the most dangerous of cancers as it is difficult to cure at advanced stages.
Both chemotherapy and radiation fail to make much headway here and the cancer spreads quickly to vital organs. Ironically, he adds it is one of the most easily curable cancers if detected early. Smokeless tobacco like paan masala is the single most primary cause of oral cancer.
V.Iyappan Shankar, Chief dental surgeon, Dencity, KMC Hospital, and central council member, Indian Dental Association, says pre-cancerous lesions, increasingly diagnosed in youth, need to be treated before they develop into cancer.
These lesions include erythroplakia and leukoplakia signified by red and white patches or sub mucous fibrosis characterised by restriction in opening the mouth. “In the last ten to fifteen years, onset of cancer in patients is observed at a younger age, even in twenties and thirties.
This is caused by consumption of paan masala, betel nut or even regular intake of supari.” Pre-cancerous lesions are generally ignored as they are painless, unless coupled by a secondary infection. This is where regular dental check ups come into play. Normally ulcers heal within a week, but if they don't subside after ten days, it is best to have a minor dental check up to avert major complications.
Not all lesions and mouth ulcers are cancerous; if the dentist suspects' cancerous growth, confirmatory tests using a velscope or brush and incision biopsy can be done.
Explaining how oral cancer sets in Dr. Iyappan elucidates, “In a normal injury, tissues bounce back but oral cancers set in when there is constant irritation in a particular area, often caused by sustaining tobacco at a particular place for a prolonged period."
