Incidence of Oral Cancer:
4, 81,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually. In the United States alone, 34,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in 2007. In America, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day.
Oral cancer is the most common cancer in India-accounting to 38% of the total cancers. In India, 70% of men and 20% of women use tobacco in one form or other.
Most oral cancers begin in the tongue and floor of the mouth.
Risk Factors:
1. Tobacco Use: Most common cause for oral cancer.
Nicotine: It is the addictive substance found in Tobacco. Bidi smoking is more harmful than Cigarette smoking. Hookah is not safe because Carbon Monoxide is not absorbed in water.
2. Alcoholism: Smoking and Alcoholism accounts for 70% of oral cancer cases.
3. Sun Exposure: Lip cancer is mainly due to excessive sun exposure.
4. History of head and neck cancer
5. Chronic irritation due to poorly fitting dentures.
6. Human Papilloma virus infection
Signs and Symptoms of Oral cancer:
1. White and Red patches in the mouth
2. Bleeding in mouth
3. Non-healing sore on the lip or mouth.
4. Difficulty in swallowing.
Oral Cancer Treatment:
Treatment depends on the patient age, spread of the disease and medical history.
1. Surgery
2. Chemotherapy – Fractional dose chemotherapy.
3. Radiation therapy – Intensity modulated radiation therapy.
Oral cancer prevention:
Tobacco in any form (smoking, chewing, and rubbing) should not be used. Betel leaf and nuts should not be used.
Regular dental checkups are necessary. Remove ill fitted dentures.
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