Gum cancer can often go overlooked until it is in its advanced stages. People who do not make regular appointments with a dentist may ignore the initial symptoms of gum cancer and attempt to treat them with over-the-counter medication. Gum cancer is diagnosed with a blood test, a biopsy of gum tissue and an imaging test such as an MRI or CT scan.
Identification
The gum is the tissue that surrounds the foundation of the teeth. The medical term used to describe the gum is the gingival. Gum cancer, also known as gingival cancer, is when an abnormal cell growth occurs in the gum tissue. If gum cancer is diagnosed and treated in time, then the chances of a successful treatment are as high as 75 percent. If gum cancer is not diagnosed in a timely manner, it can potentially be fatal, because it can spread to other parts of the body, most notably the brain.
Effects
The symptoms of gum cancer are mild at first and get progressively worse. One of the earliest symptoms of gum cancer is pain. This can start out as a pain that occurs only when brushing the teeth, but it can quickly progress to pain that occurs when eating and drinking as well. Over time this pain can become mild but chronic, which means that it is felt at all times. Other initial symptoms of gum cancer include a swelling of the gum, which normally occurs after the pain has begun, and the feeling of a small bump on the gum that would be the beginnings of a cancerous tumor.
Potential
As gum cancer continues to develop, there will be more advanced symptoms. Some of the advanced symptoms include the growth of the lump in the gum and ulcers that form on the gum, which are painful lesions that may or may not bleed. A common later symptom of gum cancer is bleeding from the gums. This bleeding may first occur after brushing the teeth, but as gum cancer develops, it could happen at any time, without reason and without warning.
Prevention/Solution
The most common method used to treat tumors associated with gum cancer is surgery. If the cancer is spreading, a combination of chemotherapy medication and radiation therapy may be used, as well. For larger tumors, a dentist may choose to use chemotherapy medication or radiation therapy instead of surgery, for fear that surgery may cause the cancerous cells to spread more quickly.
Considerations
One of the most effective ways to minimize the threat of gum cancer is to have a dental checkup at least once every six months. If the preliminary symptoms of gum cancer start to show in between checkups, get to a dentist immediately. It is not normal to have pain that originates from the gums, so if this symptom develops, do not hesitate to get it checked out.
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