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$ 5000
Maximum Cost.
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- Days In Hospital 5 days
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Overview of Oral Cancer in India
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant neoplasia of the oral cavity with a great propensity to spread to other organs. It is estimated that among the 5 percent of tumours that develop in the head and neck, about half of them are in the oral cavity. There were nearly 99,495 cases in India in 2020.
Its prevalence is very high in India. The majority of patients were already at an advanced stage of the disease by the time of detection, despite being equipped with all the diagnostic tools and the latest technological resources. Oral cancer signs and symptoms tend to be nonspecific, and in most cases are not novel but are confused with other illnesses.
Alcohol and cigarette smoking, including gutka, bhidi, khaini and hookah, are the most significant risk factors in India, and these habits are primarily observed in the male population in India. The early indication may be the development of leukoplakia, a white plaque on the buccal mucosa, gingiva, and vermilion of the lips. It is not regarded as a final diagnosis, though. Clinical associations with risk factors and biopsies are, however, necessary to prove the diagnosis.
In most cases, the disease is in the premalignant stage in half of the cases, and 50 percent are in an advanced stage. The prognosis is poor despite all the improvements in radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.
The cost of Oral Cancer Treatment in India for Indian patients ranges from 1920 USD to 2560 USD. For international patients, the cost ranges between USD 2880 and 3520.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer (mouth cancer) is a broad term for cancer that occurs inside your mouth. Oral cancer can appear in many ways and may resemble a common problem with your lips or inside your mouth, such as white patches, cankers, or sores that bleed. The difference between a common problem and possibly cancer is that these changes persist. If left untreated, oral cancer can spread throughout your mouth and throat and affect other parts of your head and neck. Approximately 63% of individuals with oral cavity cancer are alive at five years after diagnosis.
Who Is Affected By Oral Cancer?
In general, approximately 11 out of 100,000 individuals have oral cancer diagnosed in their lifetime. Males are more likely than females to develop oral cancer. White individuals are more likely to develop oral cancer than Black individuals.
How Does Oral Cancer Affect My Body?
Oral cancer can affect your mouth and/or your oropharynx. The oropharynx includes parts of your tongue and the roof of your mouth, along with the middle part of your throat, which you can see when you open your mouth very wide. Cancer in your oropharynx is referred to as oropharyngeal cancer. This article focuses on oral cancer in the mouth, specifically the oral cavity.
Types of Oral Cancer:
Oral cancer encompasses several types, each originating in distinct tissues within the mouth and throat. The following list describes the main types of oral cancers:
Squamous cell carcinoma. This is the most common type of oral cancer. Most typically, it develops in the squamous cells that line the lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks, roof, and floor of the mouth, as well as the throat.
Verrucous carcinoma. This is a rare form of squamous cell carcinoma that typically develops at a slow rate. Verrucous carcinoma may present as a warty type of tissue in the mouth.
Adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is a type of oral cancer that originates in the salivary glands or glandular tissues of the mouth and throat.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma: Mucoepidermoid carcinomas are a type of salivary gland cancer that is found in the minor salivary glands, which are scattered throughout the mouth and throat.
Sarcomas: Sarcomas are sporadic tumours that arise in the muscles, bone or connective tissues of the mouth and throat.
Lymphomas: Lymphomas are cancers that arise from the lymphatic system and occasionally involve the tissues of the mouth and throat.
Melanomas: Melanomas are cancers that arise from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), which can occur in the oral mucosa or on the lips.
Oral cancer is staged according to the size of the tumour and how far it has spread to nearby structures, lymph nodes, or distant organs. The stages of oral cancer are usually categorised using the TNM system, which stands for Tumour, Node, and Metastasis. Oral cancer stages are 0 through IV, with higher stages denoting more advanced disease. Here are some of the stages of oral cancer:
Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ. Cancer cells have only penetrated the outer layer of cells in the lining of the oral cavity, and have not penetrated deeper tissues.
Stage I: The tumour is small (less than 2 centimetres) and is located only in the oral cavity. It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant sites.
Stage II: The tumour is larger (2-4 centimetres) or it has grown into the nearby tissues, but it has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
Stage III: The tumour is bigger than 4 cm and may have invaded nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
Stage IVA: The tumour has invaded nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or both but not to distant sites.
Stage IVB: The tumour has invaded nearby organs, lymph nodes, or both and may have also spread to distant sites.
Stage IVC: The tumour has invaded distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
Procedure:
Treatment recommendations are always individualised based on the stage of the disease, and patient well-being can dictate either a single option in early stages or a combination of treatments in advanced stages. Examples of treatment include:
Surgery
Surgery means the surgical removal of the tumour and a small margin of healthy tissue around it. Small tumours are easily removed with minor surgery, but large tumours may require major surgery, which may involve the removal of a piece of the jawbone or the entire tongue. New technologies, such as laser and Robotic surgery, are also valuable for treating tumours.
There are various surgical options available for the excision of tumours. A few of these processes are:
Mohs surgery: Mohs surgery (or Mohs micrographic surgery) could be a surgical option for tiny cancers in your lip. Mohs surgery is a layered surgical excision in which the tumour, along with the underlying tissue, is removed one layer at a time until no cancer is visible in the remaining tissue.
Glossectomy: Glossectomy is the surgical removal of the tongue. It can be partial (a small part of the tongue is removed), subtotal (a large part of the tongue is removed) and total (the whole tongue).
Mandibulectomy: Mandibulectomy is the partial or total removal of the lower jawbone (mandible). Mandibulectomy is used for tumours adjacent to the lower jawbone or that invade the lower jawbone.
Maxillectomy: A maxillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove tumours from the palate and partially or totally remove the upper jaw bone (maxilla). Either a partial or complete maxillectomy is performed to excise the tumour.
Radiation therapy
Typically, X-rays and high-energy radiation particles are used in this treatment, which targets the affected location directly from outside the body. Brachytherapy, which involves placing radioactive seeds within the body to combat cancer cells, can also be used to treat oral malignancies.
External beam radiation therapy: The beam of rays passes through the skin from an external machine and is directed at the tumour cells. These include:
3D-CRT: The rays kill cancer cells from multiple directions, which is why it's referred to as 3D conformal radiation therapy.
IMRT: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) involves directing radiation from various angles to the target and killing the tumour.
Internal beam radiation therapy (Brachytherapy): This has two methods.
Interstitial Brachytherapy: when the radioactive needles are placed in the tumour and pass rays directly to the cancer cells.
Intraoral cone: The cone is placed inside the mouth, and the rays are passed to the cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most recognised treatments for cancer. It typically involves either prescribed medications or a combination of drugs designed to target and kill cancer cells throughout the body. When treating oral cavity cancer, chemotherapy is usually prescribed together with a surgical or radiation therapy.
Some of the drugs that are used in chemotherapy for treating oral cavity cancer include:
Methotrexate
Ifosfamide
Cetuximab
5-fluorouracil
Bleomycin
Carboplatin
Targeted drug therapy
This therapy targets cancer cells by using monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies, at a molecular level, inhibit the growth of cells. Targeted drug therapy may be part of a multi-modal treatment regimen, along with other forms of intervention defined by the treatment plan the patient receives.
Cetuximab
Entrectinib
Dabrafenib mesylate
Dostarlimab-gxly
Immunotherapy
The person uses the biological system of the immune system to fight against tumour cells. These are:
Pembrolizumab
Nivolumab
Avelumab
Ipilimumab
Best Doctors in India
Cost of Oral Cancer in India
Different stages of cancer and their costs in India:
|
Stages |
Min |
Max |
|
Stage 1 |
105673 USD |
1553 USD |
|
Stage 2 |
1578 USD |
1898 USD |
|
Stage 3 |
2160 USD |
2545 USD |
|
Stage 4A |
2559 USD |
2770 USD |
|
Stage 4b |
2751 USD |
2902 USD |
Different treatment procedures and their costs in India:
|
Treatment |
Min |
Max |
|
Chemotherapy |
84.5 USD |
181.5 USD |
|
Immunotherapy |
1209 USD |
1814.4 USD |
|
Targeted drug therapy |
36.29 USD |
3628 USD |
|
Surgery |
2842 USD |
6048 USD |
Top Hospitals in India
Indications of Oral Cancer:
Many mouth problems or variations may be mistaken for oral cancer. You may have unremovable patches in your mouth and throat, which might just be pre-cancerous conditions. They are white or grey, somewhat raised and deep, with shades. When scraped, they might even cause the mouth to bleed, leading to confusion with dental problems. However, here are some common signs and symptoms of oral cancer:
- Soreness, irritation, lump or thick patch on the lips, mouth or throat.
- Chronic sore throat, hoarseness, or loss of voice.
- Difficulties chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
- A lump in the neck.
- Swelling of the jaw.
- Pain or bleeding in the mouth.
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
- Numbness of the tongue or mouth.
- Pain in the ear.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Ulcers in the mouth that don't heal in over 3 weeks.
- Are there any masses or tumours in the mouth?
Other conditions may also exhibit these signs. Just because a person experiences these symptoms does not mean they have mouth cancer; however, it is wise to consult a physician or dentist for clarification. If the signs are due to cancer, finding mouth cancer at an early stage would make it easier to treat. Any of these changes lasting longer than 2 weeks may be a sign of a serious health concern, and you should visit a physician for evaluation and a checkup.
Causes of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer originates from many different mechanisms, including:
Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes, or using smokeless tobacco products, increases your risk of developing oral cancer.
Alcohol abuse: Drinking heavily and with great regularity may damage cells in the mouth and throat, increasing the chance of developing a cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV): Some strains of HPV are connected to an increased risk of oral cancer, particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18.
Poor oral hygiene: Poor dental hygiene, or a lack of brushing, flossing, or regular dentist visits, may contribute to the development of oral cancer.
Diet: A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables and containing lots of processed foods and red meat increases your risk of oral cancer.
Sun exposure: If you spend a lot of time in the sun without proper sun-blocking protection, you may increase your risk of lip cancer.
Genetics: A Family history of oral cancer or other types of cancers is one of the contributing factors to developing oral cancer.
Being immunocompromised: If you have certain medical conditions that weaken your immune system or take medications to suppress your immune system, you may be at increased risk for oral cancer.
Ageing: Age is the most significant risk factor for oral cancers. Most people diagnosed with this cancer are over age 45.
While the factors listed above can increase the chance of developing the disease, it does not mean that everyone exposed to those risk factors will develop oral cancer. Additionally, oral cancers can develop in individuals with no known risk factors. Therefore, oral screenings and early detection are essential.
Risk Factors:
Oral cancer can affect the body in various ways, depending on the stage of the tumour, its location, and treatment factors. Possible effects of oral cancer on the body include:
Local effects - Depending on the location of the tumour, oral cancer can result in pain, discomfort, or issues with chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
Tissue invasion - As oral cancer progresses, it can invade tissues surrounding the initial tumour (e.g. the gums, tongue, throat, or even the jawbone), causing additional damage and impairing function.
Spread to lymph nodes - Oral cancer may also spread to nearby lymph nodes, which can lead to swelling, tenderness, or lumps in the neck area.
Metastasis - In advanced stages of the disease, oral cancer can metastasise to distant organs (e.g. lungs, liver, bone) and present with new symptoms (e.g. shortness of breath, jaundice, bone pain, neurological symptoms).
Nutritional deficiencies - Oral cancer can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and weakness due to issues with chewing, swallowing, or loss of appetite.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
There live the blind texts separated they right at the coast of the Semantics.
The cost of treatment for oral cancer in India ranges from USD 1920 to USD 2560 for Indian patients. For international patients, the prices range between USD 2880 and USD 3520.
No, there is no 100% cure for mouth cancer. High cure rates can result from early detection and treatment. However, treatment outcomes and the likelihood of a cure vary based on several factors, including the stage, location, and overall health of the cancer, as well as the patient's health.
Several renowned hospitals in India specialise in treating mouth cancer. Operating in Mumbai and other cities, Fortis Hospitals are regularly recognised as leading centres for oral cancer treatment. Some of the other prominent hospitals include HCG Cancer Centre in Bangalore, Max Healthcare, which has several locations, and Richardsons Face Hospitals, which have a specialised approach to oral cancer. Additionally, Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, and Narayana Health are also often cited for their presence of oncology departments.