Bengaluru: India accounts for about one-third of the global burden of oral cancer, with about 2.74 lakh new cases and 52,000 deaths reported every year. This underscores the need for early diagnosis, tobacco control and regular screening, according to a presentation by Dr Nadimul Hoda, Professor and Head of the Department of Oral Oncology at the government-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru.
The presentation, made at the Border Security Force (BSF) campus in Bengaluru, describes oral cancer as the third most common cancer in India and identifies tobacco consumption in both smoking and smokeless forms as the single biggest risk factor. Alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing and the combined use of tobacco and alcohol substantially increase the risk, with the two together raising the likelihood of developing oral cancer by as much as 100 times.
The study recommends that tobacco and alcohol users, people with mouth ulcers lasting more than two weeks, persistent red or white patches in the mouth, and unexplained pain or swelling should undergo screening without delay.
The oral cancer expert said several potentially malignant disorders require close monitoring, including leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral lichen planus and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). The latter is particularly prevalent in the Indian subcontinent because of areca nut chewing and carries a measurable risk of malignant transformation.
Oral cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity, and ulcers that persist for more than three weeks should be treated as suspicious until proven otherwise, the Kidwai cancer specialist said. Common warning signs include non-healing mouth sores, white or reddish patches, loose teeth, lumps inside the mouth, persistent mouth or ear pain, difficulty in swallowing and swelling in the neck.
Diagnosis relies on clinical examination followed by biopsy, while CT, MRI and PET-CT scans are used to determine the extent of the disease and detect metastasis or recurrence. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these approaches. The presentation outlines the “4R” principle of oral cancer management—resect, reconstruct, rehabilitate and monitor for recurrence.
The presentation stresses that prevention remains the most effective strategy. Eliminating tobacco and alcohol use, conducting periodic medical examinations, improving dental health and undertaking community screening programmes can significantly reduce the disease burden. The key message is that oral cancer is largely preventable and highly curable when detected early.
