Mouth cancer or oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, on the surface of the tongue, the lips, inside the cheek, in the gums, in the roof and floor of the mouth, in the tonsils, and in the salivary glands.
It is a type of head and neck cancer and is often treated similarly to other head and neck cancers. Mouth cancer mostly happens after the age of 40, and the risk is more than twice as high in men as it is in women. It is the second biggest killer in India.
| POPULATION | NEW CANCER CASES/YEAR | CANCER DEATHS /YEAR | 5 YR CANCER PREVALANCE(ADULTS) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAARC COUNTRIES | 1659700,000 | 1,296,558 | 887,355 | 2,439,285 |
| INDIA | 1247300,000 | 948,858 | 633,455 | 1,705,085 |
| PAKISTAN | 176900,000 | 139,200 | 101,600 | 304,000 |
| BANGLADESH | 150700,000 | 141,100 | 103,300 | 291,200 |
| AFGHANISTAN | 32400,000 | 14,400 | 11,400 | 27,500 |
| NEPAL | 30500,000 | 27,800 | 20,000 | 56,100 |
| SRI LANKA | 20900,000 | 24,400 | 17,000 | 53,700 |
| BHUTAN | 700,000 | 600 | 500 | 1,100 |
| BHUTAN | 700,000 | 600 | 500 | 1,100 |
| MALDIVES | 300.000 | 200 | 100 | 600 |
Globally, oral cancers accounted for 300,373 new cancer cases and 145,353 cancer deaths in 2012.1 More than half of oral cancers in the world occur in Asia where an estimated 168,850 new cases were diagnosed. Of these, approximately 11% were from South East Asia where the incidence of oral cancer has been regarded as disturbingly high for many years.
Around 11.5 lakh cases of cancer were reported across India in 2018 as compared to 10 lakhs in 2012.An increase of 15% has been noted in the past six years. Cancer related deaths have also increased by 12%. Lip and oral cavity cancer have increased by a whopping 114% in the six year period.
The most common risk habit associated with oral cancer is the use of tobacco, both smoked and smokeless, the latter often in combination with areca nut in numerous forms.
Symptoms
Oral cancer can appear as a lesion or tumour anywhere in the mouth.
In the early stages, there are often no signs or symptoms, but smokers and heavy drinkers should have regular check up with the dentist, as they may identify early signs.
Signs and symptoms include:
⇝ Patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue, usually red or red and white in colour
⇝ Mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal
⇝ Swelling that persists for over 3 weeks
⇝ A lump or thickening of the skin or lining of the mouth
⇝ Pain when swallowing
⇝ Loose teeth with no apparent reason
⇝ Poorly fitting dentures
⇝ Jaw pain or stiffness
⇝ Sore throat
⇝ A sensation that something is stuck in the throat
⇝ Painful tongue
⇝ Hoarse voice
⇝ Pain in the neck or ear that does not go away
Having any of these symptoms does not mean that a person has mouth cancer, but it is worth checking with a doctor.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the location and stage of the cancer, and the patient's general health and personal preferences. A combination of treatments may be necessary.
Surgery
Surgical removal of the tumour involves taking out the tumour and a margin of healthy tissue around it. A small tumour will require minor surgery, but for larger tumours, surgery may involve removing some of the tongue or the jawbone. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, the cancerous lymph nodes and related tissue in the neck will be surgically removed.
If surgery significantly changes the appearance of the face, or the patient's ability to talk, eat, or both, reconstructive surgery may be necessary. This involves using transplanted grafts of skin, muscle, or bone from other parts of the body. Dental implants may be needed.
