Oral Cancer treatment In Pune

Oral cancer is one of the top three types of cancers among the Indian population. In fact, around 77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths due to oral cancers are reported annually in India, which is approximately one-fourth of global cases. Of which, almost 70% of the cases are reported after cancer has advanced, which is another major concern for our community. 

Any cancerous growth in the lips, gums, inner cheeks, sinuses, tongue, hard and soft palate, the base and roof of the mouth is considered oral cancer. It typically occurs as small, unfamiliar sores that do not respond to medicinal treatments. Our mouth cancer specialist in Pune suggests that these cancers can be detected and treated in their early stages.

Doctor Supporting Cancer Survivor in Clinic
Treatment
Oral Cancer & Rehabilitation

Oral cancer is one of the top three types of cancers among the Indian population. In fact, around 77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths due to oral cancers are reported annually in India, which is approximately one-fourth of global cases. Of which, almost 70% of the cases are reported after cancer has advanced, which is another major concern for our community. 

Any cancerous growth in the lips, gums, inner cheeks, sinuses, tongue, hard and soft palate, the base and roof of the mouth is considered oral cancer. It typically occurs as small, unfamiliar sores that do not respond to medicinal treatments. Our mouth cancer specialist in Pune suggests that these cancers can be detected and treated in their early stages.

Types Of Oral Cancers

Oral cancer is categorized by the part of the mouth they emerge in, i.e., lip cancer, sinus cancer, salivary gland cancer, gum cancer, and so on. But depending on which cells it occurs in, it has the following types:

1. Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)

Every 9 out of 10, 90% to 95% of all oral cancer cases are OSCC. Squamous cells are flat scale-like cells lining the mouth and throat surfaces that typically divide and shed every 24 hours. However, they are highly prone to develop DNA mutations that prevent a cell from dying, causing it to multiply indefinitely. OSCC can be diagnosed at an early stage, but lack of awareness often leads to diagnosis in the advanced stages.

2. Verrucous carcinoma

Up to 5% of oral cancer incidences are found to be verrucous carcinomas that also develop in the squamous cells but rarely metastasize, i.e., spreads to other parts. It grows very gradually and can invade its adjacent tissues.

3. Minor salivary gland carcinomas

As the name suggests, these are cancers that develop in the salivary glands located throughout the mouth and throat. There are further sub-categorized as adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.

4. Lymphoma

Our immune system is made up of a lymph node network spread throughout the body. The tonsils and the base of the tongue contain these lymphoid tissues that detect and isolate harmful microorganisms entering through the mouth. Cancer tumors that develop in these tissues are known as Lymphoma.

Symptoms :

The most common symptoms that our oral cancer specialist in Pune has observed include:

  • Lip or mouth sores that don’t respond to medicinal treatments or reoccur
  • A white or reddish patch on the inside of the mouth
  • Weak or loosening teeth
  • A lump or other form of growth inside the mouth that may or may not be painful
  • Persistent oral pain or pain in the ears
  • Feeling difficult or painful while swallowing foods
Causes :
  • Tobacco consumption, including smokeless tobacco (SLT), chewing, and smoking, is the leading cause of oral cancer in India. In fact, it is the cause of almost 50% of all oral and throat cancer cases.
  • Betel-quid chewing has also been linked to oral cancers
  • Excessive alcohol consumption has also been linked to some oral cancers
  • Poor nutritional intake and a weak immune system are some of the rare causes.
  • Poor oral hygiene and sustained viral infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) are some of the risks associated with oral cancer.
Diagnosis:

Physical Examination: The doctor checks the inner parts of the lips and mouth for sores, white patches, or irregular lumps

Biopsy: Small amounts of tissues are extracted from specific mouthparts to check for cancerous cells.

Endoscopy: A thin endoscope tube that consists of a tiny camera at its top is inserted down the throat to look for cancerous growths beyond the mouth region.

Treatment

Our team of surgeons consists of some of the top oral cancer specialists in Pune who treat every case of oral cancer uniquely. Oral cancers can affect different individuals differently and cause varying extents of damage. Ideally, these cancers can be effectively treated by surgically removing the affected part and reconstructing the mouth and throat.

Surgery is often combined with Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy to eliminate any trace of the cancer cells in a region

Rehabilitation

Other team works in tandem with various specialists to aid your rehabilitation after cancer treatment. This process often includes dental restorations from a dentist or jawbone grafting and implant placement from an oral surgeon. Many other specialists are involved in dealing with different mouth functions, such as speech, eating, saliva flow, muscle movements, aesthetic appearance, and improving the quality of your life.

Cosmetic surgeries can also be performed during major surgery to restore the mouth to some extent. It usually involves using free flaps for oral surgery or tissue grafting to refill the lost volume and structure of different mouthparts.

Most oral cancer cases can be treated with minimal tissue damage in their early stages. Hence, if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult our mouth cancer specialist in Pune today.