Don't just say it's simple and dismiss it: This symptom in the mouth may be the first sign of leukemia! It starts suddenly
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. Abnormally proliferating white blood cells (leukemic cells) invade the bone marrow and stop normal blood cell production. Oral symptoms of AML include hyperplasia (gum enlargement), especially of the gum tissue, and excessive gum bleeding.
GUM ENLARGEMENT IS NOT SOLELY CAUSED BY POOR ORAL HYGIENE!In light of scientific research, in a screening conducted among 16,364 patients who applied with complaints of gum hyperplasia, serious gum hyperplasia was detected in 117 people. Even more strikingly, 1.7 percent of these patients were directly diagnosed with AML. He emphasized that abnormal gum hyperplasia is not only the result of inflammation or poor oral hygiene, but can sometimes be the first silent alarm of blood cell cancer.
AML is a life-threatening hematological malignancy that is more common in people over the age of 65. In this disease, normal blood cell production in the bone marrow stops and is replaced by abnormal leukemic cells. This process can manifest itself with early symptoms such as enlargement of the mouth, especially the gums, severe bleeding, and loosening of the teeth.
Prof. Dr. Birkan Özkan warned on this issue as follows:
"Gum enlargement is not only caused by tartar or gum inflammation. In some cases, it is a reaction that occurs when leukemic cells settle directly into the gums. This can cause swelling in the gums, excessive bleeding and even tooth displacement. If not diagnosed early, it can lead to life-threatening consequences."
'SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BODY'Prof. Dr. Birkan Özkan, who explained that loose teeth do not only mean tooth loss, but also that leukemic infiltration in the gums progresses to the jawbone over time and collapses the structure of the jawbone, listed the critical symptoms observed in these patients as follows:
"Red-purple, ring-shaped swellings in the gums, bleeding gums that don't stop even with the slightest touch, persistent bad breath, loose teeth and rapid erosion of the jawbone, recurring infections in the mouth and wounds that don't heal. While the immune system has already collapsed due to leukemia, infections in the mouth spread throughout the body, increasing the risk of fatal sepsis (blood poisoning).
In other words, what initially appears as just a bleeding gum can, if left untreated, affect the entire body and cause irreversible damage. AML is a type of cancer that progresses rapidly and has a very high mortality rate.
When diagnosed at an early stage, the chance of survival can be increased with methods such as chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. However, when gum symptoms are overlooked and the disease spreads throughout the body, treatment often becomes useless. Therefore, anyone who observes unusual growth, bleeding, discoloration or abnormal movement of the gums should definitely undergo further examinations.
Finally, important vital warnings from Prof. Dr. Birkan Taha Özkan;
"For us dentists, a patient's gum examination is a challenge to maintain not only dental health, but also general health. Even if gum enlargement seems like an ordinary gingivitis, it can actually be the first sign of a tragic change in the body's blood cells. Keep in mind: the mouth is the body's mirror.
Symptoms such as bleeding gums, severe gum growth, bad breath and loose teeth are not just an oral problem; they are often the first signs of a systemic disease. Therefore, take seriously any unusual changes you see while brushing your teeth or looking at your mouth in the mirror, or have a detailed regular dental check-up. Because sometimes a small bleeding gum can be the reason for saving your life.
(UAV)
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