On the European day against oral cancer, experts are emphasizing the critical role of early detection in improving patient outcomes. According to Milagros Díaz, head of the Dentistry Unit for High Risk Patients, identifying early signs of oral cancer, such as ulcers adn unusual growths, is crucial for effective treatment.

Díaz explained that recognizing injuries in initial phases-ulcers lasting more than 15 days, white or red lesions, unusual masses, persistent pain, or changes in oral structure-can be life-saving. Oral cancer can develop anywhere in the oral cavity, including the tongue, gums, palate, yugal mucosa, and lips.

The disease is more prevalent in men, with tobacco and alcohol consumption being major risk factors. Othre contributing factors include poor oral hygiene, sun exposure on the lip, and human papillomavirus infection (HPV), especially type 16, which is associated with an increase in cases among younger individuals.

Díaz stressed the importance of regular oral self-exams and professional check-ups, ideally once a year or every six months for high-risk individuals, to detect suspicious signs early. Dentists play a vital role in early identification, as they are often the first to examine the oral cavity and can perform biopsies to confirm diagnoses at early stages.

oncological treatments can negatively impact oral health, leading to dryness, sores, mucositis, infections, difficulties in speaking or swallowing, tooth loss, and taste alterations. To mitigate these effects, Díaz recommends maintaining rigorous oral hygiene, using a soft-bristled brush, avoiding irritating foods, and visiting the dentist every four months for monitoring.

“It is significant to maintain a hydration of the oral cavity using specific gels and drink water frequently,” Díaz advises. She reiterated that early detection saves lives, allowing patients to undergo more conservative treatments with fewer complications.

“Before any sore that does not heal, stain or lump in the mouth, a specialist in oral medicine must be used. Prevention and periodic reviews are decisive to reduce oral cancer mortality,” she stated.

Head and Neck Cancers: A Significant Concern

“Prevention and periodic reviews are decisive to reduce oral cancer mortality.”

María Cruz Martín, a medical oncology specialist in the treatment of head and neck tumors, explained that these cancers are malignant tumors located in the upper aerodigestive tract, accounting for 5 percent of tumors diagnosed in the adult population of Spain.

“There are, depending on the organ on which the primary lesion depends, diffrent cancers: nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, oral cavity, nostrils, paranasal sinuses, cavum and salivary (older and lower) glands,” Martín clarified.

In Europe and Spain, these tumors are the sixth most frequent neoplasia, and the fifth in men. Approximately 90 percent of head and neck cancers have squamous histology, specifically epidermoid carcinoma.martín noted that unlike other cancers, there are no widespread population screening programs available for head and neck cancers, making clinical suspicion and rapid patient referral essential for early diagnosis.

Both specialists emphasized that early diagnosis leads to a better prognosis and allows for more effective treatment in initial stages.