Treatment Options for Oral Cancer

April 8, 2019

Oral cancer occurs as a persistent sore in the mouth. With this cancer type, there is malignant growth in the cheeks, tongue, lips, soft and hard palate, floor of the mouth, and tonsils. This guide will help you learn the different treatment options for oral cancer as shared by our doctor.

Introduction

Oral cancer occurs as a persistent or new sore in the mouth. Oral cancer is more common in men as compared to women. Additionally, people under the age of 40 have very fewer chances of having this type of cancer. In most cases, dentists are the first healthcare professionals who will diagnose this cancer type. If you are facing any such issue or have any doubt then make sure to consult the cancer doctor right away. When you visit our cancer hospital, our doctor will make sure to diagnose your condition and let you know which treatment plan will suit you the best.

Symptoms of Oral cancer

Our oncologist will give you the treatment according to the symptoms you are having. Some of them include:

  • swelling, bumps, crusts, or eroded areas on the gums, lips, or inside the mouth
  • Unexplained bleeding
  • A feeling that something is stuck in the back of the throat
  • Dryness in the throat or a prolonged sore throat
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Smooth red, white, or dotted patches in the mouth
  • Numbness of the neck, mouth, or face
  • Voice changes
  • Ear pain
  • Problem biting, talking, gulping, or moving the tongue or jaw
  • The dentures or teeth do not fit properly

In case, any of the symptoms are there for more than 2 weeks then seek medical help right away to get an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment options for oral cancer

Every case is different so the doctor will give the treatment based on different factors like type and location of cancer and its progression. Getting the early-stage treatment will help to cure it and control future growth. The most common treatments include:

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses the high-vitality beams of radiation against the cancer tissues. The radiations help in killing the cancer cells and helps to prevent the spread or future growth. Radiotherapy uses 2 kinds to treat oral cancer:

  • Internal radiotherapy is also known as brachytherapy. In this type, little radioactive beads or wires are put beside the cancer area for some time and then they are removed from there.
  • External radiotherapy directs the radiation beam from outside the body to the affected area. This is a more common method used for oral cancer.

Chemotherapy

chemotherapy treatment medications are used to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. In most cases, it is used along with surgery or radiotherapy. In other cases, chemotherapy can be the sole treatment.

Surgery

Oral cancer is widely treated with surgery. With this, cancer will be removed along with its surrounding tissues. In some cases, cancer has advanced so the surgery can help the patient to get relief from the symptoms. It is also called palliative surgery and the patient is given general anesthesia.

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy uses special photosensitizing drugs which help to kill the cancerous growth. The cancer cells absorb the medications and light activates them. However, this method is not that popular and still, it is on trial testing. Its use is more common in localized and small cancers which are near the skin surface.

If you have any doubt, then book your consultation with our doctor today only!