Oral cancer or mouth cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. It occurs at any site in the oral cavity. Around 90% of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer reported globally with an annual incidence of over 3,00000 cases. Four in ten cancers occurring in India are oral cancers. The number of new cases of oral cancer in India is on the rise due to the increase in the use of tobacco in various forms among both men and women. Tobacco when kept in the mouth leaches out carcinogens which act on the mucosa casing precancerous lesions and leads to oral cancer.
What are the Symptoms of oral cancer?
If you have any of the following symptoms you should consult a dentist immediately.
- A sore in the mouth which does not heal for more than 2 weeks.
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Pain or difficulty in swallowing, chewing and speaking
- Lump in the neck
- Dramatic weight loss
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Ear ache
- Difficulty in wearing dentures
- Loosening of teeth
- Numbness in any area of the mouth
- Hoarseness of voice
Risk factors for oral cancer
There are many risk factors for the occurrence of oral cancer. Tobacco is a major risk factor responsible for oral cancer and the rate of occurrence is high if an individual has the both the habit of using tobacco and consuming alcohol.
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Human Papilloma Virus 16 and 18
- Sunlight
- Infections in the oral cavity
- Sharp tooth
- Syphilis
How to diagnose oral cancer?
Early detection of oral cancer is crucial in the prognosis of treatment. A dentist is the first person to identify the presence of oral cancer through a thorough check-up. There are various diagnostic tests used for the detection of oral cancer;
- Incisional/Excisional biopsy
- Oral CDx test
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- PET scan
- Velscope / Identafi Oral cancer detection devise
Treatment of oral cancer
Treatment of oral cancer is a multi-disciplinary approach which requires the aid of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists and prosthodontists. The treatment for oral cancer depends on various factors like type of cancer, site, metastasis, size, involvement of other structures etc. The various treatment modalities available for oral cancer include;
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Combination therapy
- Prosthetic rehabilitation
The cost of treatment for oral cancer in a patient in India is about 3.5-5 lakhs. Early detection of cancer is important in the success of treatment.
How can I prevent oral cancer?
- Quit tobacco chewing
- Quit smoking
- Quit alcohol consumption
- Maintain a good oral hygiene
- Do a self-examination for any symptoms
- Visit a dentist to identify for any symptoms of oral cancer/ precancerous lesions atleast once in 6 months.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Use sunscreen and lip balm for protection against ultra violet light.
- Consume a healthy diet including fruits and fibre rich vegetables.
- Grinding of sharp tooth if any should be done by your dentist.
- Avoid spicy foods.
Tobacco has been a major contributing factor for oral cancer development. Tobacco use results in cancer, suffering and mental agony in the user either at an early age or at a later stage of life. Oral cancer leads to pain, swelling, loss of soft and hard tissue structures thereby causing difficulty in swallowing, mastication and speech. Oral cancer detected in the initial stages can be cured completely. As the stage of oral cancer progresses, the prognosis of treatment and quality of life declines.Avoid tobacco in any form to lead a cancer free life and a healthy life. Prevention is better than cure.
“Be cancer free and lead a healthy life”
