And such research has shown with a high degree of certainty that one of the devastating effects of smoking is the occurrence of oral cancer. Results of medical research in western states shows that 75% of oral cancers are associated with smoking and the consumption of alcohol, which means that more and more smokers and drinkers have found the answer to the question “what does oral cancer look like?”.
What is cancer? - The human body is made of hundreds of different types of cells, which behave differently. Cancer occurs when a small part of the cell’s mechanism ceases to function correctly. In the same way in which there hundreds of types of cells, there are also hundreds of types of cancers, and not many of them can be treated in the same manner. The life of each cell is unfolding in accordance with coded instructions, called genes, which are found in the nucleus. These genes tell the cell how to behave, when to reproduce by division and when to die. When the instructions referring to the multiplication and death of cells are wrong, the cell can start dividing uncontrollably without dying at the right time.
Since these cells can multiply faster than healthy cells, the cancer cells can form a growth agglomeration in the body called a tumor, according to cancer specialists. Cancer is a general term used to describe over two hundred diseases that affect certain organs and areas of the body. To put is simply, it is a disease of the cells, and each type of cancer begins in the same way. It starts when the genetic information, from one single cell, is modified in a certain way, and begins uncontrollable division. The resulting groups of cells forms a bouquet which seems to grow until it starts damaging the healthy neighboring tissue and organs.
What does oral cancer look like? The early signs of oral cancer are not exactly easy to spot, which is why visits to the dentist and to the family doctor are important. The dentist can spot the early signs of oral cancer. For the patients who are sicker, the symptoms and signs occur gradually in time, as the cells develop in the initial outbreak. Lip cancer can be detected sooner than the other types, because it is more visible. It occurs in the form of a small painless ulceration, which is often confused with herpes or blemish in the shape of a node with the same thickness as the lip.
Adenopathy (ganglions with increased size) is always present, and the general state is only affected in the later stages. Tongue cancer is more often encountered in men, starting with an ulceration, node or cauliflower structure. There is the sensation of a foreign body, pain when swallowing and the general state is altered due to difficulties when eating. Mouth roof cancer can occur as ulceration. Symptoms of cheek cancer can sometimes be confused with lesions made by teeth or poor oral hygiene.