Oral cancer specialist in Delhi

Some of the common symptoms of oral/mouth cancer to be aware of according to top cancer doctors in Delhi and worldwide:

• Lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal
• White or reddish patch on the inside of the mouth
• Loose teeth (Sudden or without reason)
• Growth or lump inside the mouth
• Mouth pain
• Ear pain
• Difficult or painful swallowing

• Tobacco use

Tobacco use is the strongest risk factor for oral cancer. Tobacco use can include smoking cigarettes, pipes, cigars and also consuming it through snuff, dip, spit, chew, or dissolvable tobacco.  

• Alcohol use

Alcohol drinking is another strong risk factor. It increases the risk of developing oral cancer, including oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Heavy drinkers are at a higher risk of getting it than light drinkers. 

• HPV infection

Certain HPC infections can cause certain forms of cancer including cancers of the penis, cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, mouth, and throat. Especially HPC type 16 or HPV16 is most often linked to oropharyngeal cancers. 

• Gender

Men are twice as likely to suffer from either oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers compared to women. This is mostly because men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol. HPV-related oral cancer is also more common in men. 

• Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of cancers of the oropharynx and larynx. Not only that, but a 2014 study found that obesity just before a diagnosis is associated with a 5-fold increase in the risk of death from SCC of the tongue. 

• Age

Oral cavity and oropharynx cancers generally take multiple years to develop; therefore, they’re uncommon in young people. Most patients are 55+ years of age. However, HPV-related cancers can be diagnosed in people younger than 50. 

• UV exposure

Oral cancer is common in people with outdoor jobs, where they are mostly exposed to sunlight for a long time. Since sunlight is the main source of UV light, it is suspected that it is one of the risk factors.

There are two different medical conditions that can cause abnormal areas in the mouth or throat. At first, they’re harmless. However, if left untreated, they can turn into cancer for few people. These are hence called “precancerous.” The two conditions are:

• Fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia is a rare inherited disease that primarily affects the bone marrow. For people with this syndrome, blood problems can occur at an early age leading to leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. They can also increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer. 

• Dyskeratosis congenita

Dyskeratosis congenita is an extremely rare genetic form of bone marrow failure.  In this disease, the bone marrow is incapable of producing sufficient blood cells. It can cause aplastic anemia, skin rashes, and abnormal fingernails and toenails. People with this disease are also at a higher risk of mouth & throat cancer at a young age.

If oral cancer is your concern, then it is in your best interest to consult an expert, like Dr. P.K.Das, a top mouth cancer doctor in Delhi. However, if you need to learn about the diagnosis process, here are the few tests & procedures followed: 

• Physical examination

A visit to the dentist can often lead to them finding lip & oral cavity cancers during routine checkups. If an individual shows signs of such cancer, the doctor’s next step is to take a complete medical history-asking about the individual’s symptoms and risk factors, and feeling for lumps on the patient’s neck, lips, gums, and cheeks. The doctor also examines the areas in the nose, behind the larynx (voice box), and the lymph nodes of the neck. 

• Endoscopy

Through an endoscopy, the doctor sees inside the mouth and throat with a thin, flexible tube with an attached light and view lens, called an endoscope. The type of endoscopy is different depending on the different parts of the body, for example, laryngoscopy to view the larynx, pharyngoscopy to view the pharynx, or nasopharyngoscopy to view the nasopharynx. If a certain area looks suspicious, the doctor will take a biopsy.

• Biopsy

Through biopsy, a small amount of tissue from the suspected area is taken and looked under a microscope by a pathologist interpreting whether the cells show signs of cancer or not. The type of cancer decides the type of biopsy used to determine the presence of cancer. Only a biopsy can make a definite diagnosis of cancer. 

• Oral brush biopsy

Some dentists use a newer, simpler technique to detect oral cancer. This technique is called oral brush biopsy, and in it, the dentist uses a small brush to gather cell samples from the suspicious area. The specimen is then sent for analysis. If cancer is found, a traditional biopsy is recommended. 

• HPV testing

As HPV has been linked to a higher risk of oropharyngeal cancer, HPV testing is done sometimes on a sample of the tumor removed during a biopsy. An individual’s HPV status can help determine their cancer stage and most effective treatment options. Mostly HPV testing is done for patients newly diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

• X-ray

An x-ray utilizes a small amount of radiation to create a clear image of the structures inside the human body. If a dentist or doctor finds something suspicious in the oral cavity or surrounding area, they might recommend an x-ray to look for abnormal findings in the mouth or neck region. 

• Barium swallow/modified barium swallow

Two barium swallow tests are generally used to look at the oropharynx to check a patient’s swallowing. The first is a traditional barium swallow, in which, during an x-ray exam, the patient is asked to swallow liquid barium. The other uses videofluoroscopy. Through this, the doctor looks for any changes in the structure of the oral cavity and throat.

• Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan

Through a CT scan, a professional takes pictures of the inside of the body from different angles. Then a computer combines these images to create a complete 3-D image showing any abnormalities, including tumors, in the body. It shows whether the tumor can be surgically removed and whether it has spread to lymph nodes in the neck or lower jawbone.

• MRI or Magnetic resonance imaging

Using magnetic fields, an MRI produces detailed images of the body, especially of soft tissue like tonsils and the base of the tongue. It can also be used to measure the size of a tumor. It is often used by doctors to get a clear image of oral cancer if suspected. 

• USG or Ultrasound

A general ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of internal organs. The test can detect if cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck. For oral cancer detection, intraoral sonography is recommended which uses sound waves to create an image of the oral cavity. It is useful to identify oral tumors. 

• Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET-CT scan

A PET scan is combined with a CT scan in most cases and called a PET-CT scan. It creates pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. It is used to find cancer cells in the lymph glands in the neck when doctors don’t know where in the mouth or oropharynx cancer cells have come from.

The 5-year overall survival rate for oral or oropharyngeal cancer is 66%. According to recent research, survival rates are higher in people with HPV-associated cancer. 

Oral cancer treatments: A look inside

Oral cancer treatment varies depending on the type, location, and stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.

• Surgery

In the early stages, surgery is recommended and used by cancer doctors to remove the cancerous tumor and lymph nodes in oral cancer. Additionally, if required, other tissues around the mouth and neck may also be removed.

• Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy involves a specialist aiming radiation beams at the cancerous tumor once or twice a day, five days a week, for 2-8 weeks to kill cancer cells. This treatment is often suggested for advanced stages and involves a combination of chemotherapy or others. 

• Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves a treatment procedure with drugs that kill cancer cells and sometimes other proliferating cells. The medicine is either administered orally or through an intravenous (IV) line. It is mostly administered on an outpatient basis, although some require hospitalization.

• Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy in cancer patients, especially targeted therapy in this case, are efficiently used by expert oncologists like Dr. P.K.Das, the best oncology doctor in Delhi, to treat oral cancer. These drugs bind to specific proteins on cancer cells interfering with their growth. This therapy is effective in early & late-stage cancer. 

• Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, which involves the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, is often used for treating oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors like PD-1 inhibitors are mostly used. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy in cancer patients are often used in combination with other therapies.

In India, both surgery and radiation therapy are considered the best therapy for oral cancer.

Yes, oral cancer is curable if caught in it’s early stage.

If caught early, individuals can live more than 5 years after an oral cancer diagnosis. 

People using tobacco are six times more likely to develop oral cancer. 8 out of 10 oral cancer patients are smokers. Heavy alcohol drinkers are also more at risk.

Staying away from tobacco and alcohol, practicing safe sex, limiting sun exposure, and maintaining good nutrition can help prevent oral cancer.

Immediately consult a top specialist in oral cancer like Dr. P.K.Das, the best cancer specialist doctor in Delhi.