Home / Blog / Get Expert Help for Oral Cancer: Know the Stages and Treatment Options | HCG Hospitals
June 30, 2025
What if a little swelling in your neck region turned out to be life-threatening?
What if a small ulcer in your mouth that never healed was a sign of oral cancer?
Although oral cancer can often be easily identified through visual and physical exams, it is still frequently diagnosed at advanced stages.
Globocan 2022 reports state that oral cancer is the second most common cancer in India and the most common cancer among Indian men. Oral cancer contributes to approximately 39% of total oral cancer cases across the world.
India recorded 143,759 cases of oral cancer and 79,979 deaths due to oral cancer during the year 2022.
In many instances, people have a sore, a small white spot, or a swelling in their mouth that appears harmless. These are often the signs of early-stage oral cancers, which can be treated successfully with personalized treatment and support.
In such cases, one must see an ENT specialist for oral cancer screening and then visit an oral cancer specialist if the physical examination indicates the presence of oral cancer.
In this blog, you will learn about oral cancer symptoms, causes, and treatment in the leading multispecialty hospitals in India. Treatment is possible and curable if detected in time.
Table of Contents
Oral cancer refers to cancerous growth in the mouth or oral cavity, including:
Usually, the sickness starts with a non-healing sore. As time goes by, it might increase and affect the surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. The common form of mouth cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which originates in the mouth and throat lining, mostly consisting of flat and thin cells.
Oral cancer does not have a single cause. However, the combination of risk factors increases the chances of getting it.
Tobacco consumption, in both smoked and smokeless forms, can increase one’s oral cancer risk. In India, a large percentage of oral cancer cases are caused by smokeless tobacco, which includes tobacco, gutkha, khaini, or betel quid with areca nut, and are at high risk of oral cancer.
Drinking too much alcohol, along with smoking, can increase the chances of getting sick.
Oropharyngeal cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially type 16.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight may heighten the chances of lip cancer.
Poorly fitting false teeth or jagged molars could cause chronic annoyance, increasing the chances of getting cancer.
Poor oral hygiene caused by not brushing the teeth properly, inadequate flossing, untreated tooth decay, etc., can increase the risk of oral cancer.
Having a positive family history of oral cancer and inheriting genetic conditions that are associated with increased oral cancer risk can make one more susceptible to oral cancer.
Early identification is important, but many symptoms are mistakenly dismissed as minor issues. Here are some things to look out for:
Stage 1 oral cancer symptoms are often more subtle. The key to early detection of oral cancer lies in paying attention to persistent oral symptoms and seeing a qualified ENT specialist in India for primary evaluation.
The first thing to do when you experience oral symptoms is to have a dentist or ENT specialist examine your mouth. Other examinations will be done if any abnormal sores or swellings are seen.
They take a small piece of tissue from the suspected area and examine it for cancer cells.
A tiny camera is employed for close examination of the interior of the mouth and throat.
Chronic HPV infection is an important risk factor for oral cancer. It can be used to determine the appropriate treatment for oropharyngeal tumours.
Prognosis is most favourable for early-stage oral cancer (Stage 1 or 2), which is detected early.
Learn more about cancer health packages here: Health Packages – Bhavnagar – HCG Hospitals
|
Stage |
Tumour Size & Spread |
Details / Symptoms |
|
Stage 1 |
Tumour is ≤2 cm. No lymph node involvement |
A little wound or blister that might ache a bit and become bigger; most times, it does not hurt |
|
Stage 2 |
Tumour size is 2–4 cm, spread to lymph nodes |
Visible growth or persistent soreness, which may cause pain or difficulty chewing |
|
Stage 3 |
Tumour is >4 cm and may have spread to one nearby lymph node (on the same side) |
Noticeable swelling or lump, pain while swallowing, and possible speech or eating difficulty |
|
Stage 4 |
Cancer has spread to deeper tissues, multiple lymph nodes, or distant organs (e.g., lungs) |
Severe pain, facial swelling or numbness, difficulty speaking or eating, and weight loss and fatigue |
It is easier to find and cure stage 1 oral cancer, which also has a positive outlook and requires minor medical procedures.
Treatment planning for oral cancer depends on its location, stage, and the patient’s overall health.
HCG Hospitals is recognised as one of the best cancer hospitals in Bhavnagar. Equipped with all major cancer treatment facilities under one roof, it offers comprehensive care for different types of cancer.
Powerful radiation beams are used to destroy cancerous cells. It works very well when the cancer is still in its early stage or when used along with an operation.
Oral or intravenous anti-cancer medications are administered to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy for oral cancer is often combined with other treatments, like radiotherapy, to improve the treatment response.
Targeted therapy focuses on identifying specific cellular pathways and molecules that encourage cancer cells to multiply and targeting them to control cancer growth. The side effects are generally less severe compared to those of conventional chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy involves re-engineering the body’s defense against cancer. Commonly employed for progressive or relapsed oral malignancies.
After treatment, patients may need the following support to seamlessly return to their routine life:
Recovery and quality of life depend on rehabilitation since treatment may affect how one talks, eats, or looks.
It is important to see an ENT specialist for oral cancer screening if you notice any of the following signs in your mouth:
Sometimes, just going to a dentist may help find it at an early stage. People should be careful and do everything on time because it can be fatal.
Certainly. Oral cancer, just like other cancers, can come back, and it is most likely to happen during the first three years of follow-up after treatment. Regular follow-up can help in the early detection of recurrences.
Recovery depends on the stage and type of treatment. Surgery may take a few weeks, while chemotherapy and radiation may have longer recovery periods due to side effects like fatigue, soreness, or speech difficulties.
Certainly. The ability to speak, chew food, and swallow may be affected by a tumour, depending on where it is located and the treatment given for its removal. Rehabilitation can be improved significantly through speech therapy as well as dietary advice.
In its first stage, oral cancer may manifest as a small sore, spot, or painless swelling within the oral cavity. Typically, it is less than 2 cm long and would not have spread to lymph nodes. Oral cancers in this stage can be treated successfully.
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