Cancer: Signs & Symptoms of Mouth Cancer One Must Not Ignore

In India, oral cancer or mouth cancer is the most frequently occurring form of cancer in men, accounting for 11.28% of all cancers. Among women, it is the fifth most common formwith 4.3% of all cases. If the cancer is diagnosed early enough, it can lead to a 5-year survival rate of over 80%. But, if diagnosed at an advanced stage, the survival rate is very low (less than 20-30%). Tobacco use is linked to 80% of oral cancers, especially in men over 40. Recently, there's been a rise in oral cancer among women and young adults over the past few decades, most likely due to the increased use of smokeless tobacco.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer

The most common symptom of oral cancer is a burning sensation in the mouth. The other symptoms are painful ulcers, difficulty in opening the mouth, change in the quality of speech, difficulty in swallowing, bleeding through the mouth, and loss of teeth. Sometimes there can be swelling in the neck which is typically painless. These symptoms can also be present due to other causes but if they don't go away even after taking medications and is present for more than 3 weeks, the possibility of cancer should be considered. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing oral cancer can be a multi-step process that involves several tests to confirm the presence of the disease and determine the extent of the disease. The tests can include FNAC and biopsy to diagnose the disease, as well as imaging scans such as CT, MRI, and PET to know the extent.

Once the diagnosis is made and the extent of the cancer is determined, treatment can be initiated. The treatment plan may consist of a combination of surgery, radiation, and cancer-modifying medicine (chemotherapy), all tailored to the individual case. 

The surgical approach can either be open surgery or minimally invasive procedures like an endoscopic or roboticapproach. Cancer treatment has come a long way. Robotic surgery has hugely improved survival rates and cosmesis in these patients. The advantage of robotic surgery is a precise approach, minimal scarring, and better outcomes. With improvements in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, treatments are even more effective with minimal side effects.

(Content By: Dr. P Subramanya Rao, Consultant, Head, Neck, and Skull Based Surgeon, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road)

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