Question 1

1) What is mouth or oral cancer?

Accepted Answer

Oral cancer is cancer that occurs in the head and neck area. It starts in the mouth or oral cavity. Mouth cancer is common and if a doctor finds and treats it early, it is highly curable. A doctor or dentist can usually spot mouth cancer with a routine mouth exam. Of all people who get oral cancer, the majority are cigarette or tobacco users. Drinking alcohol is also a risk factor for mouth cancer.

Question 2

2) What are the different types of mouth cancer tumors?

Accepted Answer

More than ninety percent of all oral cavity tumors are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells make up the lining of the oral cavity which is also called the mucosa. Less common types of oral cancer are the tumors of the salivary glands.

Question 3

3) Who is most at risk for mouth cancer?

Accepted Answer

People who use tobacco are 6 times more likely to develop oral cancer. 8 of 10 oral cancer patients are smokers. Heavy alcohol drinkers are also more at risk. Eighty percent of people diagnosed with mouth cancer consume more than twenty drinks weekly. People with a history of oral human papillomavirus infections are at greater risk to develop mouth cancer even if they don’t smoke or drink.

Question 4

4) How does smoking affect oral cancer?

Accepted Answer

Tobacco use is the single most important risk factor in getting mouth cancer. People who smoke or chew tobacco or smoke pipes have a much higher chance of getting oral cancer than someone who does not use tobacco.

Question 5

5) Where does oral cancer occur?

Accepted Answer

About two-thirds of cancer of the mouth occurs in the floor of mouth and tongue but can occur in the upper or lower jaw, gums, lips, and cheek lining. Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the back of the tongue, tonsils and throat tissue and makes up one-third of the total cases.

Question 6

6) Can oral cancer be prevented?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some risks are within one’s control, such as using tobacco and drinking a lot of alcohol. People who don’t smoke or use tobacco have a low risk of developing cancer in other parts of the body while smokers are also at risk for cancer in other organs, such as lungs, larynx, pharynx, bladder, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and stomach.

Question 7

7) What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

Accepted Answer

Red or white patches in the mouth
Mouth sores or ulcers that do not heal and bleed easily
Unexplained lump in the neck, throat or the mouth-floor
Difficulty or discomfort swallowing
Pain and tenderness in teeth or gums
The visible change in mouth tissue
Unpleasant sensations (pain, discomfort, numbness)
Diminished ability to perform normal functions such as the opening jaw, chewing or swallowing
Unexplained swelling or fullness in the neck

Question 8

8) What is leukoplakia?

Accepted Answer

Leukoplakia is a white patch that some people (Mostly tobacco and alcohol users) get on the inside of their mouth. In some cases, it is precancerous, meaning it can lead to cancer.

Question 9

9) What is erythroplakia?

Accepted Answer

Erythroplakia, more serious than leukoplakia, is a red, slightly raised patch that some people get on the inside of their mouth, and in the majority of cases, it is precancerous.

Question 10

10) How is oral cancer treated?

Accepted Answer

Most cases of oral cancer are curable and many are treated with surgery. There are several types of surgery used, but if major surgery is done, the surgeon may also rebuild parts of the mouth to preserve the appearance and function of the mouth. Radiation therapy is also used to treat and cure mouth cancer and may be used with surgery. Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery or used alone when the disease is diagnosed in a later stage.

Question 11

11) What are the causes of mouth cancer?

Accepted Answer

The 2 main causes of mouth cancer in India are consuming tobacco ( pipes and cigar smoking, chewing tobacco ) and drinking alcohol. These substances have carcinogens, which contain chemicals that can damage the DNA in the cells, and lead to mouth cancer.

Question 12

12) What are the most common sites of mouth cancer?

Accepted Answer

Tongue
Tonsils
Oropharynx
Gums
Floor of the mouth

Question 13

13) What is the percentage of mouth cancer in India?

Accepted Answer

The total percentage of oral cancer in India is 30 percent of all types of cancers. Every 20 per 100000 people in India are affected by oral cancer every year.

Question 14

14) Is mouth cancer curable ?

Accepted Answer

60 percent of oral cancer cases in India have a 5 year survival rate. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, the chances of survival increase to 70 to 90 percent.

Question 15

15) What is the cost of Mouth cancer treatment in India?

Accepted Answer

The cost of Mouth cancer treatment in India varies across different cities and hospitals.

Cost of Mouth Cancer Treatment in India
CITY	COST
Cost of Mouth Cancer Treatment in Mumbai	INR 350000- INR 500000
Cost of Mouth Cancer Treatment in Bangalore	INR 330000- INR 480000
Cost of Mouth Cancer Treatment in Delhi	INR 330000- INR 480000
Cost of Mouth Cancer Treatment in Chennai	INR 310000- INR 450000

Mouth Cancer Treatment

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Mouth cancer can be diagnosed in the following ways:

Treatment

Risks

After Procedure