Best Hospital for Oral/Mouth Cancer Treatment in Delhi

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is a significant threat to developing countries like India, where tobacco use is prevalent.

It is the most common cancer in Indian men and the fifth most common in women. Various risk factors can induce it, and usually, the symptoms are not very significant.

Some of the best Oral/Mouth Cancer treatment hospitals in Delhi offer comprehensive treatment, including diagnostic tests, the latest therapies, and other supportive care.

Choosing the best Oral/Mouth cancer treatment hospital in Delhi can be daunting. This article will help you learn about oral cancer, its symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatment options, and other factors to help you choose the best hospital.

Oral cancer includes cancers affecting the mouth and back of the throat. It can originate in the tongue, cheeks, soft palate, hard palate, lips, floor of the mouth, and throat.

The cause of more than 90% of oral cancers in India is tobacco usage. Quitting tobacco can lower the risks of getting oral/mouth cancers. Rarely oral cancers can be spontaneously caused even with no history of tobacco use.

Early diagnosis and immediate medical help can significantly increase patient survival rates.

Types of Oral/Mouth Cancer

Based on the cells involved, Oral cancer can be divided into a few types:

• Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of oral cancer, which originates in the flat cells lining the mouth and the throat.
• Verrucous carcinoma: This is a rare kind of oral cancer that grows slowly. It is one of the most highly treatable oral cancers.
• Minor salivary gland carcinoma: The mouth's salivary glands can also become cancerous. These types of cancers are classified as salivary gland cancers.
• Lymphomas: The mouth also harbors various immune cells sustained within specialized lymph nodes and capillaries. If the cancer originates in the lymph nodes, it is classified as lymphoma.

Staging of Oral/Mouth Cancer

If oral cancer is detected, after multiple examinations and diagnostic tests, doctors place the cancer into one of the four cancer stages:

• Stage I: The cancer is not more than 2 centimeters and is still in a very early stage. It is most likely to be cured if diagnosed at this stage.
• Stage II: The size of the cancer is now between 2 to 4 centimeters. It still hasn’t reached the lymph nodes.
• Stage III: The cancer is more significant than 4 centimeters, and it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage IV: This is the last stage of cancer. When the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or organs like the liver, lungs, etc., it is said to have metastasized.

Signs of oral/mouth cancer are not very obvious, and the early signs are often misdiagnosed as a regular infection. However, if you are experiencing any of the following signs for a long time, consulting a medical professional is advisable:

• Mouth ulcer, which lasts more than 3 weeks and doesn’t go quickly.
• A red or white patch with an uneven surface inside your mouth.
• A lump inside your lip or mouth.
• A lump in your neck or your throat (it may or may not be painful).
• Difficulty in speaking or experiencing hoarseness in your voice.
• Unexplained pain in any area of the mouth or throat.
• Unexplained rapid weight loss.
• Difficulty in swallowing food or water without getting a cold.

These symptoms are often not linked to cancer. Thus, seeking a medical consultation to verify your symptoms is advisable.

The causes of other kinds of cancers are hard to pinpoint. It is usually a cocktail of lifestyle choices that develop later into cancer. However, oral/mouth cancer can be pinpointed to a single most responsible risk factor- Tobacco consumption.

Some of the risk factors of oral/mouth cancer are listed below:

• Tobacco use: In India, almost 90% of oral cancers are attributed to tobacco chewing or smoking. This includes smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. The more you smoke, the greater risk you possess.
• Lifestyle: Not getting enough physical activity, an imbalanced diet, and alcohol consumption can all raise your risk of getting oral/mouth cancer.
• Age: People above 60 years of age possess a higher risk of getting oral/mouth cancer. Some patients are also diagnosed as being between 50 and 60 years of age. Although, the cancer starts developing very early in their life and stays undetected.
• Gender: In the Indian subcontinent, men are at a slightly higher risk of getting oral cancer than women.
• Family history: A study conducted in the United States found no significant association between a family history of cancer and the development of Oral cancer. However, having a first sibling with oral cancer or having oral leukoplakia and dysplasia are at higher risk.
• HPV infection: Studies have shown that certain kinds of HPV infections may cause oral cancers.

Detecting oral cancer early is a critical step to ensure full cancer recovery. Following are some diagnostic tests that a doctor may suggest for detecting oral/mouth cancer:

• Complete Mouth & Neck Examination: An ENT doctor (Ear, Nose, and Throat) can examine your mouth, neck, and throat area, specifically looking for any cancer abnormalities. This usually includes using unique mirrors(like those of dentists) to examine the mouth and throat thoroughly.
• Panendoscope: Sometimes, mouth/oral cancer can spread through the food pipe or the air pipe through the throat. Panendoscopy can be used to examine food and air pipes. It is critical to explore these areas if any mouth/oral cancer suspicion arises.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is the only foolproof way to diagnose oral/mouth cancer. It involves taking a sample of cells from the suspected area and performing several tests.
• Imaging tests: A CT, MRI, or PET scan can better view the oral/mouth cavity.

Treatment options can differ based on the stage of the oral/mouth cancer. Early-stage cancers can be treated by several options, while the later stages have limited options.

• Surgery: Surgery is a standard treatment option for Oral/mouth cancers. Lymph nodes near the affected area may also need to be removed. In some cases, the doctors will remove a larger area of the mouth cavity to stop cancer recurrence. Reconstructive surgery may also be advised if a significant area of the mouth jaw needs to be removed.
  

  Surgery usually helps to treat the cancer, but mouth surgeries are often complex to live with.

• Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy can be used to kill the cancer cells in the affected area. However, it may only be used if the cancer is found early or if the affected area is far from the ear, eyes, nose, and other sensory organs.
• Chemotherapy: The use of certain cancer-killing drugs by IV infusion is called chemotherapy. It is widely used in various kinds of cancers. Depending on the stage of mouth cancer, chemotherapy can be used before or after the surgery.
  

  Chemotherapy can be very harsh on a patient, depending on their health. Side effects include tiredness, being prone to other infections, hair loss, etc.

• Targeted medicines and immunotherapy: If the traditional methods do not help treat cancer due to over-spreading or resistant cancer, then newer methods can be employed. Targeted therapies involve personalized medications that treat specific cancerous compounds and stop their growth in the body. Immunotherapy consists of training the body's immune cells to aid them in killing natural cancer.
  

  The limitations of these newer methods are that they may not work for everyone and are available in limited places.

The overall cost of treating oral/mouth cancer can differ based on the cancer stage, hospital facilities, and other factors. The following factors are responsible for the cost of oral cancer treatment:

• Diagnostic tests: Various diagnostic tests are required to verify the cancer stage. Mouth/Oral cancers are specifically hard to diagnose as the mouth cavity is challenging to observe.
• Prescribed treatment options: Patients may choose different treatment options based on their cancer stage. The type of treatment a patient undergoes also defines the overall treatment cost.
• Hospital facilities: The location of the hospital, the expertise of the professionals, and other amenities also define the cost of oral cancer treatment.

Amerix Cancer Hospital stands out among the best oral/mouth cancer treatment hospitals in Delhi. It is well-known and trusted for its experienced medical staff, who are determined to provide compassionate patient care.

Amerix Cancer Hospital offers world-class treatment options with a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests. Amerix cancer hospitals are all under a single roof, whether nutritional counseling, psychological counseling, or post-surgery physiotherapy sessions. Its determination for world-class treatment with the utmost emphasis on patient care qualifies Amerix Cancer Hospital as the best oral/mouth cancer treatment hospital in Delhi.

Consider scheduling a consultation today to learn more about oral cancer treatment, costs, or facilities at Amerix Cancer Hospital.