Oral cancer includes cancer of lips and mouth. It is one of the most common cancers in the developing world .Mouth cancer includes cancers of cheeks, floor of mouth, tongue, gums and roof of the mouth.

Types

The most common type of oral cancer is Squamous cell cancer.

What do patients complain?

Oral cancer normally  present commonly with non-healing ulcer in mouth ,pain, swelling in mouth and neck, foul smell from mouth   , breathlessness in later stage etc.

Diagnosis

There are certain tests used for diagnosis

1. Dental examination
2. Biopsy - Biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue from the tumour using either ultrasound or CT scan. These small pieces are sent to pathologist for diagnosis.
3. Endoscopic examination – Endoscope is a hand held device used to see part of mouth and throat which is not easily visible with naked eyes.

1. CT scan or WBPET or MRI can be used for complete staging .

Staging

Depending on the size of tumor and its spread they are divided into Stage I,II,III and Stage IV.

Treatment

In  patients with early stage Carcinoma Oral cavity benefit from surgery .Many times chemotherapy is given prior to surgery ( Neo Adjuvant Chemotherapy) or after surgery (Adjuvant chemotherapy).

1. Surgery –

 Is the main treatment of Oral cavity cancer . Oral surgery is generally accompanied with neck surgery .

4. Concurrent Chemo- radiotherapy – Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used together
5. Immunotherapy – these are injections which uses body immunity to fight against cancer cells.
6. Chemotherapy - Are given in the form of injections which are given in the form of cycles with period of rest in between .The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of drugs , duration of treatment and dose of the drugs . Common side effects are diarrhoea, hair loss, loss of appetite mouth ulcers etc.

For any further queries  you can contact any of the oncologist on this platform .