The rise in the number of oral cancer cases reported in the last decade has prompt the people to focus more on their oral hygiene. Over 49,000 oral cancer cases are reported in the USA alone. It is usually found in people above the age of 40. It is mostly diagnosed after it has already spread in the neck’s lymph nodes. Fortunately, oral cancer 90% recovery rate. Cancerous cell development in tissues surrounding the mouth or throat causing a painful sensation or swelling can lead to oral cancer. Here is a brief article to help you learn more about oral cancer.

Areas that can be affected by oral Cancer:

•    Gums

•    Lips

•    Inner Cheek

•    Tongue

•    Soft or Hard Palate

•    The lower section of the mouth

Common Cause of Oral Cancer

Smoking/Tabaco

Chain-smoking or second-hand smoking is one of the most common causes of oral cancer. 8 out of 10 people who have cancer are reported to be smokers. Tabaco consumption also plays a vital role in causing cancer.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

•    Acute Pain in the neck or throat

•    Lump formation in the throat region

•    Weight Loss

•    Loss in Apatite

•    Pain while swallowing

•    Numbness in tongue

Stages of Oral Cancer

Stage 1: The first stage is when a tumour is either 2 cm or smaller, and it hasn’t started spreading in the lymph nodes.

Stage 2: A tumour has grown between 2-4 cm, but the cancerous have still not spread in the lymph nodes.

Stage 3: A tumour has grown larger than 4 cm or is any size and has started spreading in one of the lymph nodes.

Stage 4: This stage is not determined by the size of cancer, but by how much it has spread in the nearby tissues which can include lymph nodes or any other part of the body.

Oral Cancer Treatment Procedure

Oral Cancer Treatment procedure processes based on the size of cancer and the stage of the cancer patient. In most cases, the tumor is surgically removed from the body, and any remaining cancerous cells in the body are removed using chemotherapy or targeted therapy.  However, the treatment will vary depending on the condition of the patient.

Surgery

Surgical removal of cancer in the early stages can help in complete removal of the tumor by the removal of cancerous lymph nodes and the tumour.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a medication based treatment in which the patient is given anti-cancer drugs orally or through an IV. Most chemotherapy is given to the patient without admitting, however, some cases might require hospitalisation.  

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is also very useful in killing cancer cells by using X-Ray energy that targets the unhealthy cells to get rid of cancer. The patient needs to go under regular therapy once or twice daily for two to nine weeks depending on the improvements. 

Targeted Therapy

Targeted them can work effectively to cure cancer in the early as well as the aggressive stages of cancer. Targeted therapy drugs are composed of specific proteins that bind to the cancer cells preventing them from growing any further.

Nutrition

Nutrition is a significant factor in your treatment that can help in speeding up your healing process. Most medical treatment can result in reducing the patient’s appetite which can lead to weight loss. By managing the nutrition build up in the body, the patient can ensure to stay healthy.

Aftercare

Finally, it is crucial for the patients to take good care of their oral hygiene by ensuring to keep their teeth and gums clean.

You can explore medmonks.com to learn more about oral cancer and the best treatment options for it in India.