Mouth Cancer Treatment

Mouth cancer is the cancer of the oral cavity that belongs to a group of head and neck cancers. It develops in the squamous cells of the tongue, lips or mouth. It occurs mostly in people aged 40 years and above. These include cancers of-

  • Lips
  • Tongue
Know More About Surgery

The symptoms of oral cancer include-

  • Non healing ulcer or sore on the lip or mouth
  • Mass or growth anywhere on the mouth
  • Bleeding in any part of the mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Difficulty in swallowing 
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Difficulty in wearing dentures
  • Neck lump
  • Constant Earache 
  • Dramatic weight loss
  • Numbness on the lower lip, face, neck, chin
  • White or red patches around the lips or mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Jaw pain or stiffness
  • Pain on tongue

Mouth cancer can be diagnosed in the following ways:

  • Physical Examination
  • Biopsy
  • FNAC
  • X-ray
  • OPG
  • CT Scan
  • MRI
  • Endoscopy

The various treatment options for the mouth cancer are-

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Nutrition
  • Keeping oral cavity healthy

 

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Disability to chew, swallow or talk

  • Tooth decay, sore throat, jaw stiffness, skin and mouth infections,etc due to radiation therapy

  • Hair loss, bleeding in mouth,weakness, severe anemia, etc due to chemotherapy

  • Skin rashes, fever, vomiting, etc due to targeted therapy

  • Reconstructive surgery may be required in advanced cases of mouth cancer

  • Rehabilitation is required to eat and speak properly, after oral cancer surgery

  • Dental implants, grafts may be required to repair missing bones, tissues in the mouth. Artificial palates are used to replace the missing teeth.

  • Speech therapy is required in cases of major oral cancer treatment surgery

  • It is important to go for frequent follow up visits to check the recovery rate and prevent any recurrence of oral cancer.

  • Follow up check ups include- Physical exams, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, etc. 

Top Doctors for Mouth Cancer Treatment in Chennai

{{x.doctor_name}}

{{x.qualifications}}

{{x.experience}} years experience

  • {{x.specialisation | limitTo: 1}} {{x.specialisation }}
    {{x.clinic_name}}
  • {{x.locality}}, {{x.city_name}}
  • {{y.day}}: {{y.slot}}

  • Fee INR {{x.rate}}

No Results Found!

Mouth Cancer Treatment

Mouth cancer is the cancer of the oral cavity that belongs to a group of head and neck cancers. It develops in the squamous cells of the tongue, lips or mouth. It occurs mostly in people aged 40 years and above. These include cancers of-

  • Lips
  • Tongue
  • Cheek lining
  • Gums
  • Floor of the mouth
  • Hard and soft palate

Dentists are the first group of people to diagnose oral cancers. The causes of oral cancers are- Tobacco use, HPV infection, facial sun exposure, previous history of oral cancer, family history of other types of cancers, weak immune system, poor nutrition. Males have twice as high chances of developing oral cancer than females. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of oral cancer include-

  • Non healing ulcer or sore on the lip or mouth
  • Mass or growth anywhere on the mouth
  • Bleeding in any part of the mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Difficulty in swallowing 
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Difficulty in wearing dentures
  • Neck lump
  • Constant Earache 
  • Dramatic weight loss
  • Numbness on the lower lip, face, neck, chin
  • White or red patches around the lips or mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Jaw pain or stiffness
  • Pain on tongue

Diagnosis

Mouth cancer can be diagnosed in the following ways:

  • Physical Examination
  • Biopsy
  • FNAC
  • X-ray
  • OPG
  • CT Scan
  • MRI
  • Endoscopy

Treatment

The various treatment options for the mouth cancer are-

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Nutrition
  • Keeping oral cavity healthy

 

Risks

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Disability to chew, swallow or talk

  • Tooth decay, sore throat, jaw stiffness, skin and mouth infections,etc due to radiation therapy

  • Hair loss, bleeding in mouth,weakness, severe anemia, etc due to chemotherapy

  • Skin rashes, fever, vomiting, etc due to targeted therapy

After Procedure

  • Reconstructive surgery may be required in advanced cases of mouth cancer

  • Rehabilitation is required to eat and speak properly, after oral cancer surgery

  • Dental implants, grafts may be required to repair missing bones, tissues in the mouth. Artificial palates are used to replace the missing teeth.

  • Speech therapy is required in cases of major oral cancer treatment surgery

  • It is important to go for frequent follow up visits to check the recovery rate and prevent any recurrence of oral cancer.

  • Follow up check ups include- Physical exams, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, etc. 

FAQ Section

1) What is mouth or oral cancer?

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.

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

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.

3) Who is most at risk for mouth cancer?

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.

4) How does smoking affect oral cancer?

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.

5) Where does oral cancer occur?

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.

6) Can oral cancer be prevented?

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.

7) What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

  • 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

8) What is leukoplakia?

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.

9) What is erythroplakia?

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.

10) How is oral cancer treated?

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.

11) What are the causes of mouth cancer?

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. 

 

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

  • Tongue
  • Tonsils
  • Oropharynx
  • Gums
  • Floor of the mouth

 

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

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. 

 

14) Is mouth cancer curable ?

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. 

 

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

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