Mouth Cancer (Oral Cancer): Overview, Symptoms, and Treatment
Mouth cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, commonly affects people over 40, especially men. In India alone, 77,003 new cases were reported this year, with 52,067 deaths. Early detection greatly improves survival rates.
Types of Mouth Cancer:
Lip
Tongue
Inner cheek
Gums
Lower mouth
Common Symptoms:
Early signs are often missed. Key symptoms include: non-healing mouth sores, swelling, bleeding, loose teeth, pain while swallowing, sudden lumps, earache, numbness, weight loss, and red/white patches in the mouth. Smoking, tobacco, and alcohol are major causes.
Stages of Mouth Cancer:
Stage 1–2: Tumor under 2 inches, no lymph spread.
Stage 3: Tumor over 2 inches or spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4: Cancer spreads beyond the mouth or to distant body parts.
Treatment Options:
Surgery: Tumor removal and reconstruction.
Radiation Therapy: Targets cancer areas.
Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy: Attacks cancer cells directly.
Around 80% of cases are tobacco-related. If symptoms are recognized early, survival rates can reach 82%. Regular dental checkups—at least twice a year—are essential for early detection and better outcomes.
