Oral Cancer

Early symptoms include mouth ulcers that don’t heal, red/white patches, pain while chewing, loose teeth, jaw stiffness, numbness, and lumps in the cheek, tongue, or neck. Early detection enables functional-preserving treatments at specialized centers.

Diagnosis involves physical exam, oral screening, biopsy, imaging such as CT/MRI, PET-CT for staging, and lymph node assessment. Leading head and neck oncologists follow evidence-driven diagnostic protocols aligned with global cancer care standards.

Treatment depends on stage and location. It typically includes surgery to remove the tumor, neck dissection if lymph nodes are affected, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or chemoradiation. For advanced or recurrent cases, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be advised.

Not all cases require surgery. Many early-stage tumors are treated surgically for best cure rates, while some patients may receive radiotherapy or chemoradiation when surgery is not feasible, or if functional outcomes need to be prioritized.

Yes, oral cancer is highly treatable and often curable when detected early. Cure rates are highest under multimodal treatment plans designed by experienced head and neck surgical oncologists at tertiary cancer hospitals.

Common effects include dry mouth (low saliva), taste changes, mouth sores, dental sensitivity, fatigue, and gum/soft tissue irritation. Oral hygiene and dental evaluation before and after therapy are recommended.

Yes. Smoking, chewing tobacco, gutka, pan, supari, and alcohol are major risk factors. Long-term users are strongly advised to undergo routine oral cancer screenings for early detection and prevention.

Follow-up is typically every 1–3 months initially, then at longer intervals. Regular monitoring helps detect recurrence early and manage post-treatment effects under expert supervision.

You should see a specialist if mouth symptoms persist beyond 2–3 weeks, or if diagnosed. Elite head-and-neck cancer specialists such as Program Directors at major cancer centers provide structured multimodal care plans.

In select cases, minimally invasive and organ-preserving surgical techniques may be used. Treatment eligibility depends on tumor size, depth, and spread, assessed by head and neck cancer surgeons.