Is oral cancer a matter of big concern in India?
The answer is yes. Oral and lip cancers are the most common cancers in men in India in 2022. In fact, the country reports the highest number of new oral cancer cases in the world every year.
The most common cause that triggers oral cancer is tobacco chewing, a habit which is deeply ingrained in a huge part of the Indian population, especially the younger segment. Thus, awareness about tobacco and its effects should be incorporated in educational programmes to have a positive impact. I must mention here that all forms of tobacco are equally dangerous.
Poor oral hygiene is another known cause of oral cancer. It can be a result of continuous smoking or a lack of conscious efforts to maintain hygiene of oral cavity by imbibing basic mouthwash habits. Unfortunately, for us, the importance of grains is only realised during famine.
The basis of treatment of oral cancer is formed by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Recent advances in surgical treatment (for example, robotic surgeries and reconstruction surgeries) and in radiation techniques have led to
The basis of treatment of oral cancer is formed by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. DR RK CHOUDHARY, Director and Head Medical Oncology, Metro Hospital & Cancer Institute, Preet Vihar, Delhi, Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida Sector-11, UP
fantastic outcomes with respect to cosmetics and cure. Organ preservation and reconstruction of facial features have helped improve the function as well as cosmesis. Secondly, even in advanced cases, we have multiple newer therapy options like targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which lead to good outcomes and better quality of life.
Advances in allied disciplines such as pathology, radiology, nuclear medicine, dental oncology and prosthetics, rehabilitation medicine, quality of life and support services, nursing, social services, patient support groups, and internet-based resources have kept pace with advances in therapeutic modalities for oral cancers.
The biggest advance during the course of the past century is, however, integration of multiple treatment modalities into the development of multidisciplinary care and precision medicine.
Overall, head and neck cancers are a group of tough cancers to deal with for the doctors as well as the patients, so awareness regarding the risk factors and prevention should be of utmost priority. But recent advances in the treatment of these cancers have led to more patients getting cured and living a good quality life.