August 02, 2023
Oral cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from malignant cells in oral tissues. It may occur in the lips, tongue, gums, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth, etc., seriously threatening people's health and quality of life. The development process of oral cancer may be relatively insidious, and many people are already at an advanced stage when diagnosed, posing huge challenges to treatment. Below we will explore the serious aspects of oral cancer.
First, oral cancer is serious in that it can be life-threatening. Oral cancer lesions continue to expand and invade surrounding tissues and organs, possibly causing airway obstruction and suffocation. This is especially true when cancer develops in the throat, base of tongue, or floor of the mouth. Patients with advanced oral cancer may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty speaking, which have a huge impact on the patient's normal life.
Secondly, the treatment of oral cancer also faces severe challenges. Early detection and treatment of oral cancer improves cure rates, but most patients are often diagnosed late. Advanced oral cancer has often spread to surrounding lymph nodes and other organs, making treatment more difficult. Treatment of oral cancer usually requires a combination of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but these treatments can cause serious side effects, such as changes in facial appearance, swallowing and chewing dysfunction, and loss of speech ability. In addition, the treatment effect of advanced oral cancer is often poor, and the survival rate of patients is greatly reduced, causing great pain and distress to them and their families.
In addition to physical distress, oral cancer also has a serious impact on patients' mental health. Diagnosis of oral cancer is often accompanied by negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. Patients may face sudden changes in their lives, social isolation, and questions about their self-worth. Medical research shows that mental health problems, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, are common among oral cancer patients. These psychological burdens have a significant impact on the recovery and quality of life of oral cancer patients.
To solve the serious situation of oral cancer, we need to strengthen the prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancer. This requires increasing public awareness of oral cancer risk factors and symptoms, proactive oral health checkups, and regular professional oral cancer screening. In addition, the government and society should increase publicity and education on oral cancer, provide necessary medical resources and support, and provide patients with comprehensive medical services and psychological support.
When facing the challenge of oral cancer, we have advanced medical technology and rich medical knowledge, but oral cancer is still a serious disease. By strengthening prevention, early detection and comprehensive treatment, we can provide oral cancer patients with better help and support, alleviate their suffering, and improve survival rates and quality of life. At the same time, we should also advocate a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking, limit alcohol, and maintain good oral hygiene to prevent the occurrence of oral cancer and make our mouths healthier and more beautiful.
