When most people think of cancer, they imagine pain as one of the first warning signs. However, oral cancer symptoms aren’t always painful—especially in the early stages. This is the reason why early detection is difficult and underscores the importance of being informed about the signs to watch out for.
How Does Oral Cancer Start?
Oral cancer can begin anywhere in the mouth, including the tongue, gums, cheeks, roof of the mouth, and lips. At first, it is usually a tiny, painless sore or spot that persists. With time, these atypical cells may increase in number and metastasize; however, the first symptoms are not painful most of the time, and so they pass undetected.
Some of the common risk factors are tobacco use, alcohol consumption, HPV infection, prolonged sun exposure (for lip cancer), and a weak immune system.
Oral Cancer and Pain: What Should You Know?
It is not true that oral cancer always causes pain. In many cases, oral cancer patients do not experience any symptoms in its early stages. As a result, such cases may be diagnosed late and become difficult to treat when they are already at an advanced stage.
Pain caused by oral cancer is often mistaken for a toothache, sore throat, or gum infection. It is important to note that there is one big difference between pain caused by oral cancer and pain caused by common oral problems, and that is, pain caused by oral cancer is persistent. Pain caused by oral cancer does not go away, even with medication, and worsens over time.
For this reason, oral symptoms should never be taken for granted, irrespective of the pain and discomfort associated with them.
Different Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Let’s now see the commonly observed symptoms of oral cancer, some of which are painless.
- White or red patches in the mouth
- A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal within two weeks
- A lump or thickening inside the cheek
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Loose teeth without a dental cause
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Numbness or tingling in the mouth or lips
- Swelling in the jaw or neck
Paying attention to these symptoms, especially if they last for more than two weeks, and seeing a doctor for proper evaluation is essential.
What Should You Do When You Experience Oral Cancer Symptoms?
In case you see any of the mentioned symptoms persisting for more than 2 to 3 weeks, particularly with some risk factors, then seek medical help at once. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is very important because it greatly increases the chances of successful treatment and survival.
It is also important to go for your routine dental check-ups since dentists have the expertise to identify abnormal sores or growths within the mouth.
Many comprehensive cancer hospitals in India, like HCG, have cancer screening packages that are helpful in looking for early signs of cancer, supporting early detection and timely treatment.
Conclusion
It is not always the case that oral cancer is painful. Many symptoms of oral cancer do not cause pain, and therefore, they can easily go unnoticed. So, if you realize anything strange inside your mouth that is taking a long time to heal, do not sit back and wait for the pain to come. Have it examined while it is still early.