• Oral Cancer Webinar
• Posted by: Dr Rajeev Sharan

In this video Dr Sharan talks about oral cancer. He begins by elaborating the anatomy of oral cavity and naming the common causes behind oral cancer such as smoking, khaini, gutka, pan masala, etc. Elaborate the role of tobacco in carcinogenesis (3:29). Dr Sharan then explains the ways to reverse the effects of tobacco. The potentially malignant lesions due to continued use of tobacco are leukoplakia, erythroplakia, palatal lesion in reverse smoker and submucous fibrosis. The most important methods to manage oral cancer are biopsy, removal of predisposing habits (smoking, consuming tobacco), topical and systemic treatment, surgical treatment, and regular follow-up. Dr Sharan presents data which shows that 556, 400 cancer deaths happened in India in a particular year. 40% of cancers in India are oral cancer, 90% of which is caused by chewing tobacco. Symptoms are non-healing ulcer in the mouth, white or red patches in mouth, loose teeth, swelling in neck, bleeding from mouth, difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Diagnosis of Cancer has often been known to lead to troublesome emotional, psychological, financial and social impact for the patient. Dr Sharan specifies that biopsy is essential and does not spread the cancer. Oral cancer can be cured and the results depend upon the stage at which it is detected. Message to investigate our biopsy, imaging (CT/MRI) and metastatic work up (CxR, CT chest, PET-CT). Multidisciplinary approach is recommended to cure cancer. Surgery is the main treatment for cancer. For early lesions only surgery is required. For advanced lesions, surgery is accompanied with adjuvant Radiotherapy or Chemo-Radiotherapy. Prognostic markers are pathological involvement of cervical nodes, extracapsular spread, T stage, tumour thickness, surgical margins, pattern of tumour invasion and presence of perineural lymphovascular invasion. The survival rate in India has been known to be 20% less than that in the US. Dr Sharan in his presentation by presenting methods to self-examine the oral cavity for signs of cancer.