Oral Cancer Treatment in India - Cost, Top Doctors & Leading Hospitals

Oral cancer is one of the many forms of cancer that occur in the body. Oral cancer develops in the parts that make up the mouth like lips, gums, tongue, the inner lining of cheeks, roof and floor of the mouth, salivary glands as well as tonsils. Oral cancer is most likely to be diagnosed in people who have crossed the age of 40. Men carry the risk of having oral cancer twice to that of women.

Modern healthcare in Africa continues to become more advanced and accessible; however, existing barriers persist. Complex diseases, including oral cancer, prove challenging for people to receive appropriate treatment at affordable costs. Yearly, a number of African patients travel outside their home country to access more effective and affordable healthcare options. India is one of the best and most-visited countries by Africans for cancer treatment. The country receives numerous patients seeking oral cancer treatment in India. Through its modern facilities, advanced medical diagnostics, and highly skilled oral cancer surgeons, Indian healthcare has achieved global recognition. The medical centres serve patients from Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, Ghana, Rwanda, and other nations because of superior care while remaining cost-effective.

Patients now receive advanced oral cancer care through Indian medical centres at affordable pricing, which provide access to treatment unavailable in their home countries. This makes India one of the best places for getting oral cancer treatment.

What is Oral Cancer?

Many people do not have a clear conception of what is oral cancer. Basically, it starts as a malignant growth affecting the mouth. The cancer form develops in different areas, including the lips, gums, tongue, rooftop of the mouth, floor below the teeth, and the inside surfaces of the cheeks. The specialists also call this disease oral cavity cancer. 

The usual indicator of oral cancer is non-healing white or red bumps anywhere in the mouth. When not treated, such cancers can spread throughout the mouth alongside the neck. Early detection, together with appropriate medical care, can be helpful for oral cancer treatment in India. The condition targets adults aged 40 and above, yet health specialists notice a rising number of younger patients also. Timely diagnosis and proper clinical care are needed for the treatment of the cancer

What are the Causes of Oral Cancer?

Worldwide, oral cancer is a serious medical issue that affects many patients. The development of the cancer starts when normal mouth cells transform into uncontrolled cancerous cells. Also, there are several oral cancer causes:

• The chemicals found in tobacco products damage the mouth cells, which leads to their uncontrolled growth and eventual cancer development.
• Excessive alcohol drinking functions as a primary danger factor for oral cancer. The tissue lining of the mouth becomes more vulnerable to cancer development.
• HPV type 16 stands out as the HPV strain most strongly linked with oral cancer development. The virus enters cells inside the mouth to modify their DNA structure, which creates cancerous formations.

What are the Early Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

The early symptoms of oral cancer often mimic regular mouth conditions while presenting themselves in various ways. Successful treatment depends on early detection of oral cancer, so people should learn to recognise warning signs.

• The warning sign of oral cancer includes the appearance of red or white patches inside the mouth.
• Sores that bleed frequently while taking more than two weeks to heal indicate a possible problem. The sores develop on the gums and tongue and inside the mouth.
• Oral cancer causes tissues to appear swollen or infected in your mouth and around your neck. The feeling of something being caught in your throat is linked with some difficulty in tongue or jaw movements.
• Lumps or Unexplained Bleeding: If you observe lumps in the mouth or jaw or any strange type of bleeding, seek medical attention rapidly. It can be a symptom of oral cancer.

When these symptoms persist and show no signs of improvement, you need to visit a doctor for oral cancer treatment in India. The sooner an oral cancer is discovered, the better the options for treating it will be.

What are the Oral Cancer Stages in Patients?

Basically, 4 oral cancer stages can be primarily seen in a person. The following stages are:

• Stage 1: At this stage, cancer is detected with tumours that remain small, less than 2  , and have not spread beyond the tissue in which the cancer was first established.
• Stage 2: Next, the cancer enlarges in size but remains localised to the original site. The size of the tumour is between 2 and 4 centimetres.
• Stage 3: Here, the tumour may go beyond 4 centimetres and may have spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage 4: This stage 4 has the most advanced growth, and the tumour starts spreading to adjoining tissues, lymph nodes, and other body parts.

Doctors rely on the TNM system to identify the stage of oral cancer. Doctors use the TNM system to evaluate cancer stages by measuring tumour size through T. They determine lymph node involvement through N and assess metastasis through M. Doctors use this information to determine the most effective oral cancer treatment in India.

What are the Diagnosis Methods for Oral Cancer?

Doctors use multiple diagnostic procedures to identify oral cancer. Doctors conduct physical checks to identify oral cancer after patients display potential signs of cancer, because early diagnosis is a must for good-quality oral cancer treatment in India. To confirm the presence of oral cancer, the doctor may carry out the following tests:

• X-ray test to identify the cancer cells and see if they have spread to the jaw, chest, or lungs
• CT scan to show the presence of tumors in the organs like mouth, neck, lungs, throat or any other part.
• PET scan to assess if the cancer cells have spread out to lymph nodes or other organs
• MRI scan to determine the extent or stage of the cancer
• Endoscopy to determine the presence of tumor in the nasal passages, sinuses, inner throat, windpipe.

What are the Options for Oral Cancer Treatment in India?

There are several kinds of oral cancer treatment that are present which are chosen, alone or in combination. They depend on the type, stage of breast cancer, age, personal preferences and sensitivity towards certain hormones. Here are the most common forms of oral cancer treatment that are either in the form of oral cancer surgery or radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

■ Chemotherapy:

Through chemotherapy, doctors apply extremely potent drugs that eliminate cancer cells. When used together with surgery and radiation therapy, the chemotherapy oral cancer treatment in India delivers enhanced outcomes.

■ Radiation Therapy:

Through the application of high-energy beams such as X-rays, radiation therapy attacks cancer cells for destruction. This medical procedure for oral cancer treatment in India seeks to treat growths that get excluded from surgical intervention.

■ Targeted Chemotherapy:

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, these drugs are used to selectively treat the affected area, thereby causing lesser damage to other parts of the system. Advanced medications can now directly target specific functions in cancer cells.

■ Oral Cancer Surgery:

In the Oral cancer surgery, the doctor takes the tumor out of your mouth when the surgeon removes the cancer cells surgically through medical instruments.

■ Combination of Treatments:

The most successful treatment combinations for cancer patients frequently require surgical procedures together with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Treatment decisions rest on the patient's condition, tumour advancement, and the surgeon’s expert judgement.

What is the Cost of Oral Cancer Treatment in India?

The cost of oral cancer treatment in India varies based on factors including the stage of the disease, treatment modality, location, and patient-specific needs. The average cost of oral cancer treatment is around $4,000 with CureIndia. This cost is very affordable compared to the treatment costs in countries like the US and the UK, with the same level of quality. Here is a breakdown of the oral cancer treatment costs and the factors that influence them.

Best Doctors for Oral Cancer Treatment in India

When it comes to treating oral cancer, experience, technology and technique can make all the difference. In India, patients can access leading oncologists and surgical specialists at state-of-the-art oral cancer centres, which offer everything from early detection and surgery to reconstruction, radiotherapy, and follow-up support at affordable rates. Let's listen to some of our best doctors for oral cancer treatment in India:

1. Dr. Jalaj Baxi:

With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Jalaj Baxi is a highly experienced surgical oncologist in India. He is counted among India’s top oral cancer specialists and is regarded for his deep surgical expertise and success rates. With his long history in cancer surgery, he is often recommended for complex oral-cancer cases requiring experienced hands and extensive patient-centric care.

2. Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas:

Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas is a leading surgical oncologist in India for treatments including robotic head-and-neck and oral cancer surgery in India. He currently serves as the chairman of comprehensive oncological care at Manipal Hospital and has till date performed more than 4,000 successful robotic procedures.

3. Dr. Mukesh Patekar:

Dr. Mukesh Patekar is an expert oral cancer specialist in India with extensive experience in treating various cancers, such as oral and thyroid cancer using non-surgical therapies, including chemotherapy, systemic therapy and comprehensive oncology care. With over 16 years of experience and a background in medical oncology, Dr. Patekar brings expertise in performing adjuvant therapy, palliative care, and comprehensive cancer management for oral cancer treatment.

4. Dr. Vedant Kabra:

Dr. Vedant Kabra is Principal Director of surgical oncology at Fortis Gurgaon with over 25 years  of experience and more than 12,000 complex oncologic surgeries. He specialises in treating head and neck cancer, including oral cancer, and offers advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic surgeries for restoring quality of life, rehabilitation, and prevention.

What is the Recovery Process After Oral Cancer Treatment in India?

Oral cancer patients need extended periods to achieve complete physical recovery after their treatments. 

• Body weakness can occur because aggressive oral cancer treatment requires substantial time to restore body strength. 
• Side effects from treatment mainly range from mild to severe symptoms, which might include fever combined with headaches, nausea, and hair loss. 
• Your body needs nourishment from fresh fruits together with vegetables and whole grains combined with lean meats for healing. The nutrients that these foods provide help your body combat cancer cells.
•  Your recovery from oral cancer treatment in India requires removing foods that contain excess salt and fat, along with alcohol and sugar. 
• Stay hydrated with water to maintain mouth comfort, and use your doctor's guidance about proper nutrition during your recovery period.

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