What is Oral Cancer? Its symptoms, causes and treatment explained.

Cancer of the oral cavity, every so often is used to describe a number of cancers which occur in the mouth area. These cancers most take place on the floor of the mouth, lips, tongue but can also take place in the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tonsils and salivary glands.

Mouth cancers are generally categorized under head and neck cancers, while the term mouth cancer is seldom used in official cancer data, we’re using it here to promote cancer prevention and it is easier to understand. Mouth cancer is very common in India. More than 10 lakh new cases are diagnosed every year in India. A few symptoms of mouth cancer include; difficulty in swallowing, lump in the neck, changes in voice, numbness in the mouth, inexplicable weight-loss, red or white patches in the mouth.

Causes of cancers in the mouth

Tobacco and alcohol consumptions remain the biggest factors or oral cancers in India and across the world. A few other factors include family history of mouth cancers, poor oral hygiene, chewing betel nuts, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

How is oral cancer diagnosed?

The first signs of oral cancer are normally identified by a dentist. Your doctor or dentist is likely to examine your mouth, cheeks, and tongue etc after which you might be referred to a specialist for additional tests such ass endoscopy, X-Ray, Pet CT, MRI or biopsies.

What after the cancer is diagnosed?

After a mouth cancer is diagnosed, people may experience different emotions like confusion, fear, anxiety and uncertainty. There is also a lot of literature regarding mouth cancer, which can leave people with cancer, overawed.

There are various treatment options available depending on the stage, for instance surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. Always speak with your oncologist for side effects and benefits of the medication and take a second opinion as it may help you with treatment options.

Preventing mouth cancer

Most mouth cancers across the work are caused by smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. Quit tobacco consumption, lower alcohol intake, this will significantly reduce your risk of developing cancers of the mouth. Limit UV exposure as it a risk factor for Lip Cancers.

For most people, treatment successfully removes cancer. The end of treatment can be very stressful, but exciting though it’s hard not to worry about cancer coming back, at it doesn’t. For others, the cancer might never completely go away; continued targeted therapy or chemotherapy might be given to keep it under control. Learning to live with cancer can be extremely difficult, consult with Delhi’s best doctors for oral cancer at Oncoplus Super Specialty Hospital in Defence Colony, write to us info@oncoplus.co.in or call us at +91 85889 09091 to book an appointment.