Mouth cancer is a form of cancer that affects the head and throat region and is generally treated in a similar way. It most commonly occurs after the age of 40, and men are at higher risk than women. This year in India, 77,003 new cases of mouth cancer have been reported, and 52,067 deaths have been recorded. Oral cancer is often discovered only after it has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, but if detected at an early stage, the chances of survival are much higher.
Types of Mouth (Oral) Cancer
- Lip cancer
- Tongue cancer
- Inner cheek cancer
- Gum cancer
- Cancer of the floor of the mouth
If you notice any symptoms of oral cancer, you should consult your dentist immediately. Dentists recommend having an oral examination at least twice a year. Below are the symptoms, risks, and stages of the disease. You may also consult a mouth cancer specialist such as Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit.
Symptoms of Mouth Cancer
In its early stages, mouth cancer often shows no clear symptoms, which makes detection difficult. However, people who smoke or consume alcohol regularly should have routine dental check-ups.
Common symptoms include:
- A non-healing sore or blister in the mouth or on the lips
- Unusual swelling inside the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Pain or difficulty while swallowing
- A sudden lump in the neck
- Ear pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Numbness in the lips, face, or chin
- Red or white patches inside the mouth
- Persistent sore throat
- Dry mouth
- Jaw stiffness or pain
- Tongue discomfort
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer, but they should never be ignored—especially if they last long or occur together. Some signs, like earache or sore throat, may indicate other illnesses, yet it is always safer to consult a dentist or doctor promptly.
Causes of Mouth Cancer
- Smoking: The leading cause; cigarette, cigar, and pipe smokers are at highest risk.
- Tobacco use in any form
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Stages of Mouth Cancer
- Stage 1: Tumor is smaller than 1 inch and has not reached lymph nodes.
- Stage 2: Tumor grows to 1–2 inches but still has not spread.
- Stage 3: Tumor increases in size or spreads to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: Cancer spreads to surrounding tissues, lips, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.
Understanding the stage helps doctors decide the best treatment and estimate recovery chances.
Treatment Options
Surgery:
The tumor is surgically removed, sometimes through an incision in the neck or jaw. After removal, reconstructive surgery may be performed using pedicle or free-flap techniques.
Radiation Therapy:
Radiation is used to destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. The most common methods are External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy.
Chemotherapy:
Anti-cancer drugs are used—often along with radiation—to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
Targeted Drug Therapy:
This treatment directly attacks cancer cells and prevents their growth. It can be combined with chemotherapy or radiation.
Important Facts About Mouth Cancer
- Around 80% of cases are linked to tobacco use.
- The average age of diagnosis is 50 years.
- Men are affected more frequently than women.
- If detected early, the survival rate can reach 82%.
- In advanced stages, survival drops to around 27%.
Early diagnosis is crucial. Unfortunately, many people neglect oral health, leading to serious complications. Regular dental visits and proper oral hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of mouth cancer and other oral diseases.