Swe, Myanmar

A 50-year-old gentleman, who owns a rice factory, had been chewing 10 to 12 packets per day of smokeless tobacco Gutkha (Shikha), along with traditional betel quid and tobacco products for nearly one year. He did not smoke or drink alcohol. He consulted a dental surgeon because of burning sensation in the buccal mucosa. A thorough oral examination showed some mixed red and white lesions of the oral mucosa. He was very fortunate to have detected precancerous lesions: oral submucous fibrosis.

The biggest challenge was that the lesions limited his mouth opening to only about one finger breadth. He could not chew or eat well. He was very worried about the progression to oral cancer.

A consultation with an experienced dental surgeon yielded a spot diagnosis, and the timely referral that sent him to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with expertise in treating oral precancerous lesions helped him the most.

He was very satisfied and happy to have sought medical advice from the right person, a dental surgeon. Following a proper referral and his determined mindset, he received the proper treatment in time. He has been compliant with regular follow-ups for two years now. All the precancerous oral mucosa lesions have disap-peared, and there is no longer any limitation in mouth opening.

He decided not to chew smokeless tobacco or betel quid anymore with a determined mindset and has high hopes for a cancer-free life. The advice to others is to never start or to stop consuming tobacco by smoking or using any forms of smokeless tobacco, and to refrain from alcohol and betel chewing. If anyone notices any abnormal changes within the oral cavity, it's better to seek advice and proper treatment from a dentist or oral surgeon without delay.

This story was published with the consent of Shwe Young Hnin Si Cancer Foundation, Myanmar.