Medical road ahead

After pushing Shang Jun back to the ward to rest, Xiang Hao contacted the nutrition department for nutritional treatment, because Shang Jun's body had been dragged down by the buccal cancer and became weak, and urgently needed nutritional injections to maintain his body's nutrition, so that he could keep healthy. He recovers faster.

After finishing all this work, Xiang Hao found Dr. Su again and asked him about oral cancer.

"I know that chewing betel nut for a long time can cause oral cancer, but I never thought it would be so serious."

Dr. Su said: "If you chew betel nuts a lot, it will first cause oral ulcers, and the repeated oral ulcers will eventually cause mucosal damage, which will lead to oral malignant tumors. Of course, it is no problem to chew betel nuts occasionally, because the oral cavity The repair ability of the mucous membrane is still very strong.”

Xiang Hao nodded, "In this way, ordinary oral cancers are caused by repeated oral ulcers."

"you can say it this way."

Doctor Su nodded, and further said: "Most oral cancer patients have the habit of smoking, drinking and chewing betel nuts for a long time, but Shang Jun has the three in one, chewing betel nuts while driving, and drinking and smoking alcohol when taking a break, so he has Such a serious oral cancer is not caused by betel nut alone."

Xiang Hao asked again: "Besides cigarettes, alcohol, betel nuts, and irritating foreign bodies, what other factors can cause oral cancer?"

Dr. Su said with fingers: "First of all, poor oral hygiene habits will breed bacteria or mold in the oral cavity, which is conducive to the formation of nitrosamines and their precursors. Coupled with stomatitis, some cells are in a state of hyperplasia. , more sensitive to carcinogens, combined with these factors, oral cancer will occur.

Secondly, it is the foreign body stimulation you just mentioned, such as tooth roots or sharp cusps, improper dentures, if the oral mucosa is stimulated for a long time, chronic ulcers will occur, and in severe cases, it will cause cancer.

Thirdly, long-term lack of vitamin A can cause thickening and hyperkeratosis of the oral mucosa epithelium, which may also lead to oral cancer. According to demographic studies, countries with low intake of vitamin A have a relatively higher incidence of oral cancer.

In addition, some people think that oral cancer is related to insufficient intake of trace elements, such as low zinc content in food.Zinc is an indispensable element for the growth of animal tissues. Zinc deficiency may cause mucosal epithelial damage and create favorable conditions for the occurrence of oral cancer.Also, insufficient intake of total protein and animal protein may also lead to oral cancer. "

Xiang Hao's analysis: "This point should involve the problem of malnutrition."

"That's right!"

Dr. Su nodded and continued: "The last point is that oral leukoplakia and hyperplastic erythema are usually precancerous lesions.

Therefore, when we find that the oral cavity becomes white, brown or black, it means that the mucosal epidermal cells have changed.

Especially when the oral mucosa becomes rough, thickened or hardened, and oral mucosal leukoplakia and erythema appear, it is very likely that cancer has already occurred. "

Xiang Hao frowned and asked, "Is there a more concrete early-warning observation method?"

She feels that the roughness and thickening of the oral mucosa, as well as leukoplakia and erythema of the oral mucosa, are difficult for ordinary people to detect, and only professional doctors can discover them.

Dr. Su smiled and said: "For example, if an ulcer does not heal for a long time, it is the same as Shangjun. The course of oral ulcer generally does not exceed two weeks. If symptoms such as burning sensation and pain do not improve after two weeks, you need to be vigilant. The possibility of cancer, it is best to come to the hospital for examination and diagnosis.

Because oral cancer often manifests itself in the form of ulcers, specifically, the surrounding edges are raised, the center is uneven, and covered with necrotic tissue, the pain is obvious.

Speaking of pain, when the pain intensifies after the ulceration, as the tumor further invades the nerves, it can cause ear and throat pain. At this time, attention must be paid, and it may have deteriorated into oral cancer. "

"Is the sudden enlargement of the lymph nodes an early warning of oral cancer?" Xiang Hao asked.

"Correct."

Dr. Su nodded and said: "Many people think that swollen lymph nodes are lymphatic diseases. As everyone knows, when oral cancer occurs, it often metastasizes to nearby cervical lymph nodes. At this time, the primary lesion may be very small, and the symptoms may not even be obvious. But in fact, oral cancer cells have metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes, so when lymph nodes are found, the oral cavity needs to be checked."

After a pause, he took a sip of water and added: "There is another kind of dysfunction, for example, the tumor may invade the muscles of opening and closing the mouth and the mandibular joint, resulting in limited movement of opening and closing the mouth.

However, although the above symptoms I mentioned are common symptoms of oral cancer, they cannot be used to judge whether you have cancer.Because the above-mentioned symptoms can also appear in oral inflammation, it is still necessary to go to the hospital in time for early diagnosis and early treatment. "

"Well, you can't procrastinate if you are sick, and you have to find the right doctor."

Xiang Hao nodded in agreement, and couldn't help but think of Shang Jun.

Since he suffered from oral cancer, he has been transferred to several hospitals, but in the end his condition got worse and he almost died.

Fortunately, he came here, and Dr. Su is an expert in this field.

"Doctor Su, I want to ask one more question." Xiang Hao said again.

"You said."

Doctor Su nodded with a smile.

Xiang Hao said: "What is the cause of oral cancer caused by betel nut?"

Dr. Su pushed his frame, and slowly said: "During the process of chewing, betel nuts will rub against the oral mucosa, which will cause mucosal damage and lesions. Nitramines, reactive oxygen species and other stimuli have cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and even direct carcinogenicity.

Moreover, chewing betel nut can cause oral mucosal fibrosis. As mentioned earlier, oral mucosal fibrosis is just a kind of precancerous lesion, and after long-term pathological changes, it can become oral cancer. , there is no optimal treatment method.

In addition to being difficult to treat, oral mucosal fibrosis cannot eat stimulating food in the early stage. Otherwise, there will be an abnormal burning sensation when eating. Gradually, it will cause increased saliva, loss of taste, and difficulty in opening mouth. Finally, swallowing may even occur. Salivation is difficult. "

"In this way, Shang Jun seems to be serious, but it has not caused it to the point where it is difficult to treat. It's just that the appearance is quite miserable." Xiang Hao was stunned.

"Yes, as long as it can be cured without harming lives, it's not the worst."

Dr. Su nodded and continued: "In addition to suffering from oral cancer, long-term chewing of betel nuts may also have the following three effects on the human body:
1. Effects on teeth and periodontal tissue.People who eat betel nut for a long time, their teeth will turn yellow and black; and the fibers of betel nut are thick and hard, which can easily puncture the gums or block the gap between the teeth, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain around the root of the tooth, until the teeth fall off one by one or are completely pulled out .

2. The impact on the temporomandibular joint.Occlusal changes due to tooth wear and temporomandibular joint surface wear, resulting in sound when opening and closing, and joint pain.

3. The effect on the digestive system.Chewing betel nut will damage the taste nerve, affect the secretion of saliva, and hinder the digestive function.Moreover, betel nut residue can irritate the stomach wall, cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and even perforate it, affecting nutrient absorption. "

"So, to cherish life, we must stay away from betel nuts." Xiang Hao concluded.

Dr. Su said with a smile: "It's okay to eat it occasionally, but don't chew it for a long time."