Oral cancer or mouth cancer is at ype of head and neck cancer. It occurs at any site in the oral cavtiy. 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 followings ymptoms 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 difficutly in swallowing, chewing and speaking

Lump in the neck

Dramatic weight loss

White or red patches in the mouth

Ear ache

Difficutly 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 cavtiy

Sharp tooth

Syphilis

How to diagnose oral cancer?

Early detection of oral cancer is crucial in the prognosis oft reatment. 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 biospy

Oral CDx test

X-rays

CT scan

MRI scan

PET scan

Velscope

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. Thet reatment for oral cancer depends on various factors liket ype of cancer, site, metastasis, size etc. The varioust reatment modalities available for oral cancer include;

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy

Combination therapy

Prosthetic rehabilitation

The cost oft reatment for oral cancer in a patient in India is about 3.5-5 lakhs. Early detection 

of cancer is important in the success oft reatment.

How can I prevent oral cancer?

Quit tobacco chewing

Quit smoking

Quit alcohol consumption

Maintain a good oral hygiene

Do a self-examination for anys ymptoms

Visit a dentist to identify for anys ymptoms of oral cancer/ precancerous lesions atleast once in 6 months.

Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Use sunscreen and lip balm for protection against utlra 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 cotnributing 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 difficutly 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 oft reatment and qualtiy 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'