What is mouth cancer?
Oral cancer develops in the mouth — including the lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks and floor of the mouth — and can extend to the throat. The major causes are tobacco (smoked and chewed) and alcohol, and some types of HPV are also linked to it. Dr. Suresh Advani's patient-education writing stresses that it is curable, but only if diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
Myth 1: “It doesn't hurt, so there's nothing to worry about”
Fact: Early oral cancer is often painless. A painful sore is frequently caused by a bite or scrape and heals on its own. A sore or patch that does not hurt and does not heal is a greater concern. White patches (leukoplakia) can be precancerous — not all will turn into cancer, but they should be examined by a doctor.
Myth 2: “I have never used tobacco, so I can't get it”
Fact: Tobacco greatly increases risk, but it is not the only cause. People who have never smoked can still develop oral cancer.
Myth 3: “I'm too young”
Fact: Oral cancer is more common after 40, but it can occur in younger people. Anything unusual in the mouth that persists should be checked rather than treated repeatedly with antibiotics without a diagnosis.
Myth 4: “My cancer was treated, so I'm done”
Fact: People who have had oral cancer have a higher risk of it returning. Regular follow-up — for example every six months as advised — is important, along with prompt reporting of new symptoms.
Myth 5: “Nothing can prevent it”
Fact: Risk can be reduced:
- Stop smoking and avoid all tobacco products, including chewing tobacco
- Limit alcohol
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
- Protect lips from excessive sun
- HPV vaccination and safer sex reduce HPV-related risk
- Have regular dental and mouth check-ups
Warning signs
- A mouth ulcer or sore that has not healed in two weeks
- A white or red patch in the mouth
- A lump or thickening in the cheek, tongue or neck
- Loose teeth without gum disease
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis and treatment at Smita Memorial Hospital
- The ENT, Head & Neck Surgery department manages head and neck tumours with surgical intervention and reconstructive surgery
- The Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery department manages oral diseases
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery provides oncological reconstruction
- The Audiology and Speech team offers speech and swallowing rehabilitation after head and neck cancer treatment
- The Oncology Department, led by Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Advani, provides medical oncology
The hospital's work in this area has been reported in the press, including a 10-hour emergency surgery in which doctors reconstructed the tongue of a cancer survivor.
How to check your mouth at home
- In good light, look at the lips, gums, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth and tongue — including under and along the sides
- Look for white or red patches, ulcers, lumps or swelling
- Feel the cheeks and the floor of the mouth gently
- Feel the neck for any lumps
- Check monthly if you use or have used tobacco
Any change that lasts more than two weeks should be examined by a doctor or dentist.
Chewing tobacco and betel products
Chewed tobacco products and betel quid with tobacco keep harmful substances in direct contact with the lining of the mouth for long periods. This is strongly linked to precancerous patches and oral cancer. Stopping use reduces risk over time. If you use these products, regular mouth examinations and early attention to any change are especially important.
Life after head and neck cancer treatment
- Speech therapy to improve communication
- Swallowing assessment and therapy for dysphagia
- Dental care, as treatment can affect teeth and gums
- Nutrition support
- Regular follow-up to detect recurrence early
Smita Memorial Hospital's Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology team provides personalised rehabilitation for hearing, speech and swallowing disorders arising from head and neck oncology, in collaboration with the ENT and Head & Neck Surgery team.
Specialists you can consult
Frequently asked questions
Is a painless white patch in the mouth serious?
It may be leukoplakia, which can be precancerous. It should be examined by a doctor, especially if you use tobacco.
Can mouth cancer be cured?
Yes, particularly when diagnosed and treated early.
Who treats mouth cancer at Smita Hospital?
The ENT, Head & Neck Surgery team, Oncology, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery work together.
Does quitting tobacco reduce risk?
Yes. Stopping tobacco use is the most important step to lower the risk.
Sources
- Dr. Suresh Advani — 5 Common Mouth Cancer Myths and Facts, drsureshadvani.in
- ENT, Head & Neck Surgery; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery; News, smitahospital.com
