The dangers of gum cancer

Dr. Ngo Minh Phuoc, Head of the Outpatient Department at the Provincial Center for Disease Control, said: “Gum cancer occurs when cells in the gum area proliferate abnormally. If left untreated, these cells can invade and metastasize to other organs, causing dangerous complications.”

A dentist from the Department of Dentistry at Cai Nuoc General Hospital examines a child's teeth. (illustrative photo)

According to warnings from oncologists, if you notice ulcers on your gums that are slow to heal, you should be vigilant and see a specialist as soon as possible. In this case, the patient's gums will develop ulcers, which may or may not be painful. The ulcers change the color of the surrounding mucous membrane, and the inflammation and ulceration can last for more than two weeks.

Additionally, lumps may appear in the gums. If you notice a lump in your gums, that is darker in color than the surrounding gum tissue, causes pain, and bleeds easily, you should pay attention, as this could be a symptom of gum cancer.

Furthermore, gum cancer can also cause symptoms such as: loose teeth; ulcers on the tongue; patients may also experience changes in taste, excessive bleeding in the mouth, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss.

Dr. To Minh Nghi, Deputy Director of Ca Mau General Hospital, said: Currently, science has not yet determined the exact cause of gum cancer. However, some factors that directly affect the gums may be the cause of gum cancer, such as: people who wear dentures incorrectly or grind their teeth; not taking proper oral hygiene; people who frequently smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke; and those who drink a lot of alcohol. At the same time, those who are frequently exposed to sunlight without drinking enough water should also be wary of this dangerous disease.

Science has shown that if gum cancer is detected early, the survival rate over 3 years can reach 80%. However, for cases detected late, the chance of survival over 3 years drops to only 50%. Therefore, early detection is crucial for patients.

However, how long a gum cancer patient lives depends entirely on many different factors, such as the stage of the disease at which it is detected, the patient's health, and the treatment methods applied.

Currently, the basic treatment methods for gum cancer remain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Using dental floss and brushing with a soft toothbrush to clean the oral cavity is also effective in preventing gum infections. However, if you have just had surgery, you should not rinse your mouth with salt water, but only rinse gently with plain water at a suitable temperature.

Thus, gum cancer is treatable using various methods. However, the effectiveness in prolonging survival depends on many factors. Most importantly, the earlier it is detected, the higher the cure rate. Therefore, if there are any suspicious symptoms, patients should quickly seek medical attention and treatment as soon as possible.

Phuong Vu

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