All About Oral Cancer: Oral Cancer Treatment with its Causes and Symptoms

Oral Cancer, also known as mouth cancer affects the lips, tongue, cheeks, floors of mouth, or palate. Oral cancer may appear as a common problem with your lips and your mouth, like white patches or sores that bleed. It belongs to a large group of cancers that are called head and neck cancers. Most of the cancer cells develop in the squamous cells found in your mouth, tongue, and lips. Oral Cancer Treatment is possible if the cancer is detected and treated in its early stages.

Oral Cancer in India is a major health concern compared to many developed countries and it is one of the most common cancers among men. The major risk factors for oral cancer are mainly tobacco and alcohol assumption. If detected early, it can be treated effectively with therapies and surgery. However, delayed diagnosis or treatment may lead to poor outcomes. Therefore, it is always advised to practice good oral hygiene, avoid harmful habits, and undergo regular dental check-ups. If we look at the history of oral cancer, the understanding and treatment of oral cancer have evolved significantly with many advanced therapies and treatments that act as a ray of hope for patients.

Different Types of Oral Cancer

Our mouth is made up of many different types of cells. It can develop in several different ways and the type of cancer depends on which type of cells your cancer began in. Oral Cancer encompasses various types, each with distinct characteristics.

Most Common Type of Oral Cancer

1. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: It is one of the most common types of oral cases, accounting for over 90% of all the cases. It is a type of skin cancer that can develop in various parts of the body, including lips and mouth, and if left untreated, it may spread to nearby lymph nodes, bones, or distant organs. It usually appears flat but when this tissue develops cancer it may appear as round masses that can be flat, raised, or ulcerated.

Less Common Types of Oral Cancer

1. Verrucous Carcinoma: it is a type of very slow-growing group of cancer that is made up of squamous cells. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it may invade and infect the nearby tissue. It develops in the cells that line cheeks and lips and can cause mouth sores.

2. Minor Salivary Gland Carcinomas: it is a type of oral cancer that develops in the salivary glands that are located throughout the lining of the throat and mouth. It is present as a non-ulcerated, painless submucosal mass and may cause a mass effect or invade local structures. Some of the oral cancers that develop on the minor salivary glands are Cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.

3. Lymphoma: it develops in lymph tissue, a part of the immune system known as lymphomas. These tissues are located at the base of the tongue or in the tonsils. Lymphoma can cause pain, swelling, or lumps in the mouth, neck, or threat.

4. Mucosal Melanoma: it is also known as oral melanoma, is a rare disease that forms in the moist membranes lining the inside of the body rather than in the skin. It causes discolored areas of skin and lumps in the mouth. It spreads and metastasizes more rapidly than other oral cancers.

Few Region-Based Oral Cancer

1. Lip Cancer: it is the most common area of mouth cancer and is both a skin and an oral cancer, but is treated as an oral cancer depending on the location. Sore on the lip that does not heal. Bleeding, pain, or numbness on the lip may be the symptoms of lip cancer.

2. Jaw and Gum Cancer: it may occur in the upper or lower gums as it grows and invades the underlying jaw. Smoking and alcohol consumption can cause gum cancer. You may experience bleeding, thickening, cracking, or sore gums.

3. Tongue Cancer: It is the most common area of mouth cancer and is known to be at high risk for spreading to the lymph nodes within the neck. The symptoms of tongue cancer might be bleeding, and red or white patches on the tongue.

Getting to Know About Oral Cancer Stages and Symptoms

Oral Cancer Treatment can be done after knowing the stage of cancer through diagnosis and tests including physical tests and biopsy. A stage describes the cancer’s location, cancer growth, and penetration on the surface of the area where it was found. Oral cancer stages are diagnosed using the TNM system. T here stands for the size and location of the tumor, N shows how much the tumor has spread to your lymph nodes, and M shows if the tumor has dispersed or spread to other areas of your body. The stages of oral cancer are:

• T1: If the tumor in your mouth measures 2 centimeters or less
• T2: if the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller, but isn’t larger than 4 centimeters.
• T3: If the tumor is larger than 4 centimeters.

Oral Cancer symptoms may include persistent soreness or ulcers in the mouth that do not heal, red or white patches on the gum, tongue, or lining of the mouth, and lumps or swelling in the mouth, neck, or throat. Some other common oral cancer symptoms may include:

• Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or moving the tongue or jaw
• Numbness or pain in the mouth
• Moose teeth or dentures
• Ear pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Oral Cancer Treatment in India

Oral cancer in India has seen a shift towards a more positive trend. Raising awareness about the disease and its link to tobacco and alcohol consumption has led to a decrease in oral cancer cases. More cases have been detected in its early stages due to improved access to healthcare and dental care, improving treatment outcomes. Indian scientists are actively participating in studying more about oral cancer, leading to a better understanding and the development of new oral cancer treatments. Oral cancer treatment cost in India is significantly at lower cost compared to other countries. Even with such affordable prices, India offers the best medical facilities and treatments such as surgeries and therapies.

India is home to the best hospitals and doctors in the world and offers excellent cancer treatment at affordable prices. These hospitals are equipped with modern technology and highly skilled oncologists. Some of the top hospitals include:

1. Apollo Hospital
2. Manipal Hospital
3. Fortis Hospital
4. Max Super Specialist Hospital
5. Medanta Hospital
6. BLK Max Hospital, Delhi

Some of the top oncologists for the oral cancer treatment in India are:

1. Dr. Vedant Kabra, Fortis Hospital
2. Dr. Deepak Sarin, Medanta Hospital, Delhi
3. Dr. Jalaj Baxi, Fortis Hospital, Delhi
4. Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Max Super Specialist Hospital, New Delhi
5. Dr. Sameer Kaul, Apollo Hospitals, Delhi
6. Dr. Rajeev Agarwal, Medanta Hospital, Delhi

Oral cancer treatment in India includes a combination of surgery and therapies such as Radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, altered to the individual patient’s conditions. India has advanced in targeted therapy and immunotherapy which has brought many positive outcomes. These hospitals have the best cancer care programs including diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for a comprehensive approach to managing oral cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Oral cancer is a major public health concern in India, however, with advanced treatments and infrastructure, India offers prime treatment options for oral cancer at affordable prices. Oral cancer treatment cost in India and a blend of the traditional and modern approaches make India an attractive medical aid for many international patients. There is a growing promise of improved treatments such as many advanced treatments and better patient outcomes. With ongoing advancements in medical technology and a patient-centric approach, India is well-positioned to make a valuable impact in the fight against oral cancer. We, Medheal Global Care assist our patients in making a hassle-free medical tour. We help our patients with medical visas, pickup services, online doctor consultations, and post-surgery care ensuring you an exceptional healthcare experience.