Oral Cancer Symptoms

Oral cancer mainly includes squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for the vast majority of oral malignancies. Globally, South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have higher incidence rates. Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are also high-incidence areas. The disease is closely associated with habits such as smoking, heavy drinking, and betel nut chewing, posing a serious threat to patient health.

In Southeast Asia, male patients are more common, especially those over 40 years old. Oral cancer progresses rapidly, and without timely treatment, it can lead to local tissue destruction and distant metastasis, affecting swallowing and speech functions. Immune reconstruction cell therapy offers patients new treatment options.

Staging of Oral Cancer

Stage I: Localized tumor, mild symptoms
Tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm, confined to the oral mucosa, with no lymph node metastasis. Patients may experience mild local pain or ulcers. The 5-year survival rate is about 80%–90%.

Stage II: Larger tumor, local extension
Tumor diameter 2–4 cm, still no lymph node metastasis. Patients may experience oral pain and non-healing ulcers. The 5-year survival rate is about 65%–75%.

Stage III: Involvement of local lymph nodes
Tumor exceeds 4 cm or is accompanied by ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastasis. Symptoms become more severe, including oral pain, bleeding, and difficulty eating. The 5-year survival rate is about 40%–55%.

Stage IV: Distant metastasis, severe symptoms
Tumor invades adjacent structures or metastasizes to distant organs, manifesting as severe pain, oral masses, and systemic symptoms. Treatment is challenging, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 30%. Immune reconstruction cell therapy plays an important supportive role at this stage.

Detailed Symptoms of Oral Cancer

1. Non-healing oral ulcers
Early oral cancer often manifests as persistent non-healing ulcers in the oral cavity, with irregular edges, easy bleeding, and mild pain.

2. Oral mass
Patients may feel a lump or induration in the oral cavity, which enlarges over time, affecting speech and chewing.

3. Persistent oral pain
Pain intensifies especially during eating and may radiate to the ear or neck, suggesting deep tissue invasion.

4. Bleeding and halitosis
The tumor surface is prone to ulceration, leading to recurrent bleeding and noticeable oral odor, impairing quality of life.

5. Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
Cervical lymph nodes become enlarged and firm, indicating lymphatic metastasis.

6. Loose teeth and difficulty chewing
The tumor erodes the adjacent alveolar bone, causing teeth to loosen or fall out, restricting food intake.

7. Speech changes
The tumor affects areas such as the tongue and soft palate, leading to unclear articulation and impaired communication.

8. Weight loss and fatigue
Long-term eating difficulties lead to emaciation and fatigue, indicating disease progression.

Conclusion

Early symptoms of oral cancer are inconspicuous and easily overlooked, while late-stage disease severely impacts life. Experts at United Life International Medical Center remind that timely recognition of early symptoms and proactive immune reconstruction cell therapy combined with comprehensive interventions can effectively prolong survival and improve quality of life. The public should remain vigilant, avoid high-risk habits, and ensure early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.