Oral Cancer Treatment

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer refers to cancer that occurs in the tissues of the oral cavity (starting from the lips and extending to the front part of the tonsils) or the oropharynx (part of the throat). This type of cancer can affect various parts of the mouth and throat.

What is the Oral Cavity?

The oral cavity includes several parts:

Tongue

Lips

Gums and Teeth

Lining of cheeks

Uvula

Salivary glands

Floor of the mouth

Roof of the mouth (hard palate)

Tonsils

Best Oral Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad

Hyderabad offers excellent oral cancer care, and Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli is a highly respected specialist in the field. He practices a personalized approach using surgery, radiation, chemo, or targeted therapy depending on your needs.

Burden of the Disease

India accounts for one-third of the world’s oral cancer cases. Approximately 30% of all cancers in India are oral cancers. According to
  • Globocan 2018
  • New cases: 1,19,992
  • Deaths: 72,616

In general, oral cancer affects and causes more deaths in men than women.

Symptoms

  • A sore on your lip or in your mouth that doesn’t heal within two weeks
  • Mouth sore cancer
  • White or red patches on the inside of your mouth
  • White patch oral cancer
  • Loose teeth
  • A growth or lump inside your mouth
  • Mouth pain
  • Ear pain
  • Difficulty or pain while swallowing, opening your mouth, or chewing
  • Unexplained numbness or tenderness in your mouth or jaw
  • A lump in your neck

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

  • Tobacco and betel nut/areca nut consumption
  • Alcohol consumption: Increases the risk, especially when combined with tobacco use.
  • Sharp teeth or ill-fitting dentures
  • Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is protective.
  • HPV infection
  • A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
  • Trouble chewing or swallowing
  • Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth
  • Swelling of the jaw
  • Loosening of the teeth
  • Weak immune system
  • Exposure to UV rays: Can cause lip cancer.
  • Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cavity Cancer
  • A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal
  • Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away
  • A lump or thickening in the cheek
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
  • Voice changes
  • A lump or mass in the neck
  • Weight loss
  • Constant bad breath

Oral Cancer Diagnosis

Oral Visual ExaminationYou can perform a self-examination of your mouth using a mirror and bright light. The standard 8 steps of oral cancer screening are:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly
  • Explore your mouth with your finger.
  • Tilt your head back to examine the roof of your mouth for any abnormal thickening.
  • Pull the cheeks on one side at a time, and inspect the inner surface and back of the gums.
  • If you detect any abnormality, consult your doctor for further evaluation.
  • Medical History, General Physical Examination, and Oral Examination

Brush Cytology

Cells from the suspected area are examined under a microscope.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)

A thin needle draws cells from a lump or swelling for microscopic examination.

Biopsy

A small tissue sample is taken from a suspicious area using a punch biopsy instrument or endoscopy if the lesion is not easily accessible. This tissue is processed in the laboratory and examined for cancer.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and PET scans confirm the diagnosis, document the extent of the disease, and aid in staging.

Other Tests

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing: HPV infection is a rising cause of oral cancers. Biopsy samples may be tested for HPV.

Precancerous Conditions

Certain oral disorders have a risk of developing into oral cancer: Leukoplakia: White patches commonly related to tobacco use. Erythroplakia: Fiery red patches with a high risk of becoming cancerous. Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF): A condition often associated with chewing betel nut.

Are There Tests for Early Detection?
Oral cancers often have a long pre-cancer period, during which early detection is possible through routine health check-ups, screenings by doctors, dentists, health workers, or oral self-examination.

  • Oral Lichen Planus (OLP): An autoimmune disorder presenting as fine white lines.
  • Oral Lichenoid Lesion (OLL): Similar to OLP.
  • Smoker’s Palate: Greyish white mucosa on the palate of smokers.

Treatment

Staging

Oral cancer staging is based on:
  • Size of the lesion/tumor
  • Localization to oral tissues
  • Spread to cervical lymph nodes
  • Metastasis to other parts of the body
The TNM staging system considers:
  • Tumor size (T)
  • Lymph node involvement (N)
  • Metastasis (M)

Treatment

Treatment : Your treatment plan for oral cancer in Hyderabad, designed by an oral cancer specialist, will consider:

Tumor factors : Site, size, location, bone proximity, neck lymph nodes status, previous treatment, histology.

Patient factors : Age, general health, treatment tolerance, occupation, lifestyle, socioeconomic considerations.

Physician factors : Expertise in surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, dental and prosthetic support, and psycho-social support.

Preventive Methods

There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of oral cancer:

Avoid tobacco use: This is the single most important factor in preventing oral cancer. Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco significantly reduces your risk, even if you’ve used them for many years.

Limit alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol use can increase your risk of oral cancer, especially when combined with tobacco use.

Maintain a healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods contain vitamins and antioxidants that may help protect against cancer.

Protect yourself from sun exposure: The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk of lip cancer. Use lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips from the sun.

Get vaccinated against HPV: The HPV vaccine can help protect against HPV-related oral cancers.

See your dentist regularly: Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to screen for oral cancer and identify any precancerous lesions early. During a checkup, your dentist will examine your mouth for any unusual changes in the soft and hard tissues.

Practice good oral hygiene: Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily can help remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth, which can help reduce your risk of gum disease and oral cancer.

Maintain good denture hygiene: If you wear dentures, it’s important to clean them regularly and make sure they fit properly. Poorly fitting dentures can irritate the gums and increase your risk of oral cancer.