About Oral Cancer
Oral Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Early detection of oral cancer is very important. Timely clinical examination, biopsy reporting, and specialist evaluation can help in accurate diagnosis and better treatment planning.
Oral cancer is among the common cancers affecting the oral cavity. India contributes a significant number of oral cancer cases due to risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and delayed diagnosis. Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, gums, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth, hard palate, and retromolar trigone. The majority of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
Common Symptoms
- Non-healing ulcer in the mouth
- Unexplained bleeding
- Lump or swelling in jaw, face, mouth, or neck
- Loose teeth
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in the face
- Difficulty opening jaws, chewing, or swallowing
- Changes in speech
- Ear pain or hearing loss
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Unexplained weight loss
Types of Oral Cancer
- Lip cancer
- Cheek / buccal mucosa cancer
- Lower or upper alveolus cancer
- Retromolar trigone cancer
- Floor of mouth cancer
- Tongue cancer
- Hard palate cancer
Screening & Diagnosis
- Regular self-examination of the mouth
- Annual dental and oral check-ups
- Physical examination of oral cavity, neck, throat, and tongue
- Biopsy for confirmatory diagnosis
- Imaging tests such as X-ray, CT, MRI, or PET scan when required
Myth About Biopsy
A common myth is that biopsy or FNAC can spread cancer. This is false. Biopsy is the definitive method to diagnose cancer and helps doctors plan the correct treatment.
Multispecialty Evaluation
Oral cancer patients are usually evaluated by a multidisciplinary team including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, onco-pathologists, imaging specialists, and reconstructive surgeons.
Treatment Options
- Composite resection / commando operation
- Maxillectomy when upper jaw is affected
- Neck dissection for lymph node management
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Frozen section technique for margin assessment
Causes & Risk Factors
Post-Surgery Care: Do’s & Don’ts
Do’s
- Speak less to promote healing
- Maintain advised liquid diet
- Ensure proper feeding tube care if applicable
- Continue prescribed medicines
- Maintain oral hygiene as advised by the doctor
- Follow plastic surgeon’s instructions after flap reconstruction
Don’ts
- Avoid sudden exertion to head and neck area
- Avoid room heaters if tracheostomy tube is present
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other addictive substances
- Do not brush teeth unless advised by your doctor
- Do not ignore pain, swelling, or bleeding after surgery
Oral Cancer Prevention Tips
Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco to reduce oral cancer risk.
Excessive alcohol use, especially with tobacco, increases cancer risk.
Routine check-ups help detect suspicious lesions at an early stage.
HPV vaccination may help reduce HPV-related oral and throat cancers.
Use SPF lip balm and reduce excessive sun exposure to lower lip cancer risk.
Any non-healing ulcer, red patch, or white patch should be examined early.