Oral Cancer Screening & Treatment

Oral cancer is among the most common cancers in India, largely driven by tobacco and areca nut use. It is also one of the most survivable — when it is caught early. Screening takes only a few minutes.

Warning signs to act on

A mouth ulcer that has not healed in three weeks, a white or red patch on the tongue, cheek or gums, a lump or thickening in the mouth or neck, unexplained bleeding, numbness, persistent hoarseness, or progressively reduced mouth opening.

Who should be screened

Anyone who uses tobacco in any form, chews paan, gutkha or areca nut, or drinks alcohol regularly should be screened routinely — and immediately if any of the signs above are present.

What happens next

Suspicious lesions are biopsied for definitive diagnosis. Pre-cancerous conditions such as leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis are treated here; confirmed malignancy is managed in coordination with oncology services.

You may need this if

An ulcer or sore patch unhealed for three weeks
A white or red patch that does not rub off
A lump in the mouth or neck, or unexplained numbness
Progressively reducing mouth opening, especially with tobacco or areca nut use

Not sure whether this applies to you? Call and describe the problem — we will tell you honestly.

What treatment involves

1

Visual and manual examination

The tongue including its edges and underside, floor of mouth, cheeks, palate and gums are examined, and the neck felt for lymph nodes.

2

Risk assessment

Tobacco, paan, gutkha, areca nut and alcohol history are discussed, since these change how closely you should be monitored.

3

Biopsy if needed

Anything suspicious is biopsied. This is the only way to know with certainty, and it is a short procedure under local anaesthesia.

4

Management

Pre-cancerous conditions are treated here; confirmed malignancy is coordinated urgently with oncology services.

Why it is worth doing

Takes only minutes A quick, painless examination of the mouth, tongue and neck.

Early detection saves lives Oral cancer is highly survivable when caught early.

Biopsy when needed Definitive diagnosis rather than watchful guessing.

Pre-cancer treated here Leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis managed in-house.

Aftercare

Stopping tobacco and areca nut is the single most effective step
Self-check monthly — look at your tongue, cheeks and gums in good light
Screening every six months if you use or have used tobacco

Questions