Test and procedures commonly used to diagnose oral cancer include:
If the biopsy indicates oral cancer, the doctor will work on the next step - i.e. determining the stage of cancer by performing one or more of the following tests:
Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, CT scan, and PET scan to see if cancer cells have spread beyond the mouth.
An endoscopy to examine sinuses, nasal passages, inner throat, windpipe, and trachea to check for any abnormal cell growth or find out if cancer has spread.
Treatment options include - surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, etc. At Fortis, our head and neck oncologists will prescribe the best treatment plan for each patient, depending on the type, location and stage of mouth cancer.
Surgery: A patient may be recommended surgery to remove tumour or cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. Fortis is a pioneer in performing complex reconstructive surgical therapies such as free tissue transfer or free flaps to rebuild the mouth and face, helping patients regain ability to talk and eat.
Radiation therapy: Another treatment option that uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Fortis is well-equipped with the futuristic linear accelerator machine to provide the two specific types of radiation therapy - external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) which includes accelerated and hyperfractionated radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT); and Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation.
Chemotherapy: A treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. A doctor may recommend combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy if cancer is widespread.
Targeted drug therapy: Targeted drugs work by altering specific aspects of cancer cells that fuel their growth.
Immunotherapy: This type of treatment the patient’s immune system to fight cancer.
