Diagnosis:
1. Thorough examination of the oral cavity and the neck
region conducted without neglecting any area may show hard
lumps of tissues, which may indicate cancer. The patient
is assessed for any suspicious tissue changes, which may
include a white, red or a mixed white or red lesion.
2. Imaging the lesion using x-ray films, CT scan and advanced
diagnostic techniques such as MRI helps in defining the
location and extent of the cancerous growth.
3. Microscopic examination of a tissue specimen from the
suspected lesion is the best method to confirm or rule out
oral cancer. It gives the exact type and nature of cancer.
Treatment:
The principle objective is to cure the patient of cancer.
The choice of treatment depends upon factors such as cancer
cell type, amount of changes in the cell, size and location
of the cancerous growth.
Surgery or radiation is used with curative
intent in treatment of cancer. Chemotherapy (Medicines) is used as an
additional form of treatment. In early lesion either surgery
or radiation as a form of treatment would suffice. But in
an advanced condition, a combination of both surgery and
radiation is required.
There is rarely a second chance available
for cure. Hence the initial approach of treatment is critical.
The survival rates after early detection and treatment of
cancer have been noted to be 70%. Chemotherapy (Medicines)
is a weak
substitute for the above-mentioned treatment.
More Information:
Tobacco utilization either in the form of smoking or chewing
is an important factor in the development of oral cancer.
About 97% of oral cancer victims are known to be associated
with tobacco either in the form of smoking or chewing. Pipe
smoking and cigar smoking have been known to increase the
risk levels by a few folds. Among the various habits associated
with tobacco, tobacco chewing is known to cause oral cancer
more rapidly than any of the other habits. This is because
of the direct and repeated contact of the tobacco with the
mucous membrane of the oral cavity.