Oral cancer is cancer found in the oral cavity (the mouth area) and the oropharynx (the throat area at the back of the mouth), nasal cavity (passage behind the nose), paranasal sinuses (spaces around the nose), salivary glands (glands that make saliva), throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).
India has almost 1/3rd of cases of oral cavity in world.
Oral cancer accounts for approx. 10.3% of all cancers in India
Most common cancer in Indian males and 4th most common in Indian females.
3rd most common cause of cancer related deaths in India.
An ulcer or sore that does not heal or bleed on touch
a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of mouth
a lump on the lip or in the mouth or throat
unusual bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth area
Restriction in opening mouth- submucosal fibrosis
Unusual bleeding from nose
Swelling of the jaw
pain in the ear
change in voice
a chronic sore throat
a feeling as if something is caught in the throat
pain or difficulty in swallowing or chewing
Loosening of tooth or ill-fitting of denture
Swelling in neck- lymph node not resolving
Tobacco in any form smoking or smokeless in the form of jarda, ghutka etc.
Betel nut with or without paan
Alcohol
sharp teeth or dentures causing constant irritation
Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Poor oral hygiene
Leukoplakia - a condition characterized by a whitish patch that develops inside the mouth or throat.
Erythroplakia - a condition characterized by a red, raised patch that develops inside the mouth.
Excessive sun exposure, which, like elsewhere on the body, can cause cancer on the lip
Physical examination of oral cavity and entire body, including health habits and past illnesses and treatments
Endoscopy is an examination of areas of the throat, pharynx and larynx with a thin, lighted tube
Biopsy is the removal of tissue samples to look for signs of cancer
Computerized Tomography (CT) scans of face/ neck and distant sites chest; abdomen produce images of the size and location of tumors and metastases, or places where tumors have spread.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): uses radio wave pulses to make images of spatial variations in the absorption and emission of energy between healthy tissue and tumors.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses radioactive sugar molecules injected intravenously. Cancer cells absorb sugar more quickly than normal cells, so they "light up" on the scan.
Erythroplakia - a condition characterized by a red, raised patch that develops inside the mouth.
Excessive sun exposure, which, like elsewhere on the body, can cause cancer on the lip
Rehabilitation may vary from person-to-person depending on the type of oral cancer treatment, and the location and extent of the cancer
Dietary counselling: many patients recovering from oral cancer surgery have difficulty eating, so it is often recommended that they eat small meals consisting of soft, moist foods.
Surgery: some patients may benefit from reconstructive or plastic surgery to restore the bones or tissues of the mouth, returning a more normal appearance.
Prosthesis: if reconstructive or plastic surgery is not an option, patients may benefit from dental or facial-part prosthesis to restore a more normal appearance. Special training may be needed to learn to use a prosthetic device.
Speech therapy: if a patient experiences difficulty in speaking following oral cancer treatment, speech therapy may help the patient relearn the process.
Include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy and or targeted therapy. Some patients have a combination of treatments.
Surgery: When surgery is the main option for cure, the whole tumour and the lymph nodes are removed. Depending on the afflicted area, a Wide Excision is done like in some cases, a rim or segment of jaw may be removed so that there is no compromise in getting a microscopic clean margins. Surgery is commonly used to remove cancer for all stages of cancer of the oral cavity or oropharynx. Reconstructive surgery restores function or improves the appearance of parts of the body. It may include dental implants, skin graft, local flap or free flap. Some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy for better long term control. Treatment given after surgery to increase the chance for a cure is called adjuvant therapy.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells
Biopsy is the removal of tissue samples to look for signs of cancer
Chemotherapy uses drugs taken by mouth or injections through a vein or muscle to stop the growth of cancer cells. The way that chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of cancer being treated. Chemotherapy can be one or a combination of drugs.
Surgery, Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy are the three modalities of treatment of H & N Cancer. Surgery and/ or Radiotherapy are the primary modalities while Chemotherapy is used as adjunct/adjuvant treatment. The treatment plan varies from patient to patient depending on a number of factors like the stage of the tumour, location of the tumour, patient’s age, general condition, occupation of the patient etc.Surgery: The goal of treatment when surgery is the main option is cure, which is possible when we can remove the tumour with good margin all around and also remove the lymph nodes.
Wide Excision: Depending on the afflicted area Wide Excision may include a surrounding structure also. For e.g., in some cases, a rim or segment of the jaw bone may be removed so that there is no compromise on getting a
microscopic clean margin.
While the Oncosurgeon is totally focused on getting the tumour out, he/ she would have a plan for reconstruction which is often discussed with an Aesthetic Surgeon and the patient, in advance.You may discuss with your surgeon the loss of tissue expected and the plan for reconstruction. He/She would use line diagrams to explain the whole process to you. In tongue cancer, whenever a wide margin is taken, the treating team works to ensure that the remaining tongue remains mobile and as functional as possible. When surgery is inevitable-Partial Laryngectomy is performed in suitable cases. This helps us preserve the voice to a great extent. However, if total Laryngectomy has to be performed and other options are not suitable,there are methods to implant a prosthetic device or use an external device for the purpose of speech. The earlier we intervene better it is, in terms of disease control and for rehabilitation.The surgery will have some effect on your appearance,speech, swallowing etc, but depending on the area of surgery, generally these symptoms settle down. Sometimes, it helps to meet someone who has undergone a similar process/surgery.
Neck Dissection – H & N Cancers generally spread to neck glands. Even if the neck glands are not involved, these might have to be removed for control of cancer. Today,wherever possible, a modified neck dissection is done so
that the appearance and shoulder function are well preserved. It, however, causes some swelling of the face which comes down in 2-3 months, more so in patients undergoing post surgery radiation therapy. Radiation Therapy entails use of high energy X-Rays to kill cancer cells. The source of radiation may be from a machine outside the body (external beam radiotherapy) or from radioactive materials inserted into the involved organ(Brachytherapy).
Chemo-Radiation: Many locally advanced H & N Cancers are treated with combination of Radiation and Chemotherapy. This treatment takes advantage of both the modalities of treatment for improving cure rates and conserving the organ affected by the disease. It gives hope of conserving larynx to allow patient to have near normal speech and swallowing.
The most common type of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell cancer). 9 out of 10 head and neck cancers (90%) begin in squamous cells. Contact Cancer Surgery Gurugram surgery gurugram for head & neck cancer treatment in Gurgaon.
Sometimes persistent, persistent neck pain is a warning sign of head or neck cancer. Although it may also be a sign of a more serious condition, head and neck cancer may include a lump, swelling, or a wound that does not heal until h. Contact Cancer Surgery Gurugram surgery gurugram for head & neck cancer treatment in Gurgaon.
A#1Best Doctor for head & neck cancer in Gurgaon says overall survival rate for head and neck cancer has increased since 2001. However, it still remains around 50%, meaning that half of the people with the condition will die within five years. Early detection of the disease improves the likelihood of complete recovery.
According to Best Doctor for head & neck cancer in Gurgaon, head and neck cancer which can occur in many places, is often preventable and, if diagnosed early, is usually curable. Unfortunately, patients often present with advanced disease that is incurable or requires aggressive treatment, which makes them functionally disabled.
