Oral Cancer Treatment Treatment Cost in India

Mouth or oral cancer starts in the mouth or throat’s tissues. It is a subset of a larger group of cancers called the head and neck cancers. Most of these start showing growth in the squamous epithelial cells found in the tongue, lips and mouth. The parts that are affected by oral cancer are gums,inner linings of the cheek, tongue, lips, hard and soft palate of the mouth and the floor of the mouth.

It is always advised that a biannual dental checkup is done to allow the dentist to find out early signs and symptoms of oral cancer in the mouth of any individual.

The exact causes of oral cancer cannot be outlined but there are some risk factors that trigger the growth of cancerous cells in the mouth and one of them is definitely tobacco consumption. Smoking of pipes, cigars or cigarettes or chewing of tobacco definitely increases the risk of oral cancer by many folds. Even large amounts of alcohol consumption compiled with tobacco consumption can have adverse effects on health. Some of the other risk factors are enlisted below:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Previous diagnosis of oral cancer
• Family history of having suffered any kind of cancer or oral cancer
• Chronic facial exposure to sun
• Immune system which is weak
• Low quality nutrition
• Genetic syndromes

Generally males are more affected by this cancer. Oral cancer can be detected in various stages of development. The four stages of oral cancer are outlined below:

• Stage 1: The tumor is 2 cm or smaller than that and the lymph nodes are still not affected by cancer.
• Stage 2: The size of the cancerous tumor is between 2 to 4 cm and the lymph nodes are yet unaffected by cancerous growth.
• Stage 3:  The size of the tumor is now more than 4 cm and lymph nodes still do not show any change, or it can be of any size and any one lymph node is affected but other parts of the body remains unaffected from the oral cancer
• Stage 4:  In the last stage the tumor can be of any size and now lymph nodes are affected, and even other body parts show signs and symptoms of cancerous growth.

As per the National Cancer Institute, the rates of survival for oral and pharynx cancer is given as below:

• 83% if the cancer is still localized and has not spread elsewhere
• 64% for the cancers which have affected nearby lymph nodes
• 38% for the cancer which has affected other parts of the body as well

On average it has been found that 60% of most people who are suffering from oral cancer can survive for the next 5 years or even more. If the diagnosis is carried out early and subsequent treatment is started, then chances of survival improves. This is the reason why symptoms of oral cancer or mouth cancer when noted should be immediately brought to the notice of healthcare provider for ready diagnosis and quick treatment plan.

Some of the symptoms of oral cancer are given below:

• Growth or mass formed anywhere in the mouth· Sore formation in mouth or lip that does not heal
• Mouth bleeding
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty or pain in swallowing
• Ear ache that does not subside
• Problems in wearing dentures
• Lump formation in the neck
• Unaccounted weight loss
• Numbness experienced in face, neck, lower lip or chin
• Stiffness and pain in the jaw
• Pain in tongue
• Hoarse and sore throat
• White, red patches formed in both lips and mouth

Ear ache or a sore throat may not always indicate oral cancer, in fact none of the above symptoms are exclusively reasons for oral cancer. But it is always advised to visit a dentist so that he or she may examine the conditions in depth and check for any cancerous cells in the mouth.

The healthcare provider or a dentist will perform a physical examination of the mouth where the roof, floor, back of the throat tongue, lymph nodes in the neck and the cheeks will be observed. If the dentist is unable to figure out the root cause of the symptoms experienced by the patient, then the patient is referred to an ENT specialist (ENT).

If the ENT specialist finds any abnormal growth, lesion or tumor they will immediately conduct a brush biopsy or a tissue biopsy. Through a brush, very painlessly some cells will be brushed off and collected on a slide for study. In the case of tissue biopsy, some tissue must be collected on a slide to check under the microscope for cancerous cell growth.

In addition to that, some more tests can be conducted by the doctor to determine the exact condition

• X-Rays which finds the cancer cells’ existence in chest, lungs or jaw
• A CT scan which reveals any tumor present in the lungs, neck, throat or mouth or rather any other parts of the body to find the spread
• A PET scan for finding out the effects of cancer to any lymph nodes and other organs
• An MRI scan which shows exact imaging of the neck and head for determining the spread of cancer
• An endoscopy test for examining the sinuses, the nasal passages, inner throat, trachea, and windpipe.

Treatment approaches for oral cancer vary largely based on the type, location and stage of cancer that has been exactly diagnosed.

Surgery: In the early stages of oral cancer, surgery is recommended for the removal of the tumor and the lymph nodes that are affected. In other cases, some tissues around the neck and mouth can also be removed to prevent further damage or spread of cancer.

Radiation therapy: This is another option that is considered where the doctor aims radiation beam at the tumor normally twice a day almost 5 days a week for a period of 2 weeks to 2 months. In the advanced stage, treatment is a combination of chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy for better results.

Chemotherapy: This is a treatment that makes use of drugs or chemicals for killing the cancer cells. The medicine can be either administered intravenously through a line made in the arm of the patient or can be given orally. The chemotherapy treatment does not require a hospital stay mostly and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Targeted therapy:  This is another treatment option that can be effective in both advanced as well as early stages of cancer. These work by binding themselves to some specific proteins on the cancer cells and intervene in their normal growth process.

Nutrition: This is also a very important segment of oral cancer treatment. A proper diet must be charted out so that the patient is in a position to combat troubles like painful eating and swallowing problems and other troubles like weight loss and poor appetite. A diet that is not too harsh on the mouth and throat and at the same time gives the requisite number of calories covering the vital amount of minerals and vitamins that will aid in the recovery of the patient has to be selected.

Apart from the above, oral hygiene is very important that ensures, the tongue, teeth, and gums are kept moist and clean all throughout the treatment plan.

Depending on the kind of treatment, the recovery will differ. Pain and swelling are common after surgery but is not expected to last long.

Radiation therapy, on the other hand, can have some negative effect and side effects like

•           Dry mouth
•          Decay in tooth
•           Infections in mouth and skin
•           Fatigue
•           Trouble wearing dentures
•           Weight loss and thyroid changes
•           Inability to taste and smell
•           Dryness and burning sensation

Even chemotherapy drugs can have negative effects, but they usually disappear after the chemotherapy sessions are over ·         Bleeding in the mouth

•           Bleeding in the mouth
•           Severe anemia
•           Painful gums and mouth
•           Loss in appetite and loss in hair
•           General fatigue and weakness
•           Diarrhea
•           Numbness in hand and feet
•           Nausea and vomiting
•           Sore Lips & mouth
  

Targeted therapy usually has little or no side effects and may be accompanied by fever, headache, diarrhea, allergies, nausea and skin rashes.

People who were suffering in advanced stages may require reconstructive surgery to repair the tissues and bones that have undergone changes because of treatment. Even speech therapy and artificial palate can be recommended to help in speaking and restoring former normal conditions in the patient.

Depending on the treatment and the healthcare provider, the cost of oral cancer could vary from $3500 to $6500 in India which is less than even half the cost that may be incurred in the USA with similar amenities and quality of treatment.