Mouth cancer, a serious form of head and throat cancer, primarily affects individuals over 40, with men at higher risk. In India, over 77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths were reported this year. Early detection significantly improves survival rates, especially before cancer spreads to lymph nodes.
Types of mouth cancer include lip, tongue, inner cheek, gum, and lower mouth cancers. Symptoms often go unnoticed initially but may include non-healing sores, mouth pain, bleeding, lumps in the neck, and numbness. Regular dental check-ups, especially for smokers and alcohol consumers, are critical for early diagnosis.
The primary causes are tobacco use, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Mouth cancer progresses through four stages, from small tumors confined to the mouth to advanced cancer spreading to nearby tissues and lymph nodes.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy, often combined for effectiveness.
Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit, a leading mouth cancer specialist in Delhi, emphasizes early detection and treatment. Maintaining oral health and regular dental visits remain vital in prevention and successful management of mouth cancer.
