Topic: Oral Cancer, cancer cervix
Question: List out the risk factors for oral cancer. Describe its morphology.
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the risk factors for oral cancer in detail:
– Tobacco use – Smoking cigarettes, bidis, pipes, and smokeless tobacco like gutkha increase risk significantly. Tobacco contains carcinogens that cause mutations.
– Alcohol use – Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk, especially in combination with tobacco use. Acetaldehyde from alcohol metabolism is carcinogenic.
– Betel nut chewing – Betel quid with tobacco is a strong risk factor, especially in South Asian populations. The areca nut contains carcinogens.
– HPV infection – High risk strains of human papillomavirus can cause cellular changes and increase oral cancer risk. Especially HPV 16 and 18.
– Age – Risk increases with age, likely due to accumulation of mutations over time. Most cases occur after age 50.
– Gender – Oral cancer is twice as common in men compared to women, due to higher rates of tobacco/alcohol use.
– Sun exposure – Prolonged UV exposure can increase risk, especially for cancers of the lip.
– Immunosuppression – Patients with HIV/AIDS or who take immunosuppressants have higher risk.
– Poor oral hygiene – Lack of proper tooth brushing and dental care may increase risk.
Morphology:
– Most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas starting from the oral mucosal lining.
– Typically form exophytic, fungating, ulcerating masses that are friable and bleed easily.
– Can also appear as indurated ulcers, red or white patches (erythroplakia, leukoplakia).
– With growth, can infiltrate deeply into underlying bone and soft tissues.
– Metastasizes to lymph nodes of neck as well as lungs, liver, and bones.
