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How to Cure Mouth Cancer Without Surgery?

How to Cure Mouth Cancer Without Surgery?

Introduction

One among the ten most common cancers, oral cancer is more common in developing South Asian nations, including India. This cancer develops in the tissues of the mouth or throat, occurring in areas such as the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, palate, and salivary glands. Symptoms such as mouth sores or ulcers that do not heal, or white/red patches in the mouth could be symptoms of oral cancer. Here are answers to the question – how to cure mouth cancer without surgery?

Is Cancer Prevention Possible, If Yes, How?

As part of answers to the question how to cure mouth cancer without surgery let us understand if cancer prevention is a possibility. In certain cases, cancer prevention is a possibility. This is primarily possible by switching to a healthy lifestyle, reducing exposure to risk factors, and regular screenings, as outlined below:

  1. Tobacco – Cessation of smoking and chewing tobacco is a mandatory requirement for prevention. This is because any form of tobacco intake is known to be major cause of lung, mouth, throat, and other cancers.
  2. Diet – A balanced healthy diet is another important requirement. This should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Ingredients to stay away from include, red meat, processed meats (could cause colorectal cancer), excessive sugar and refined carbs.
  3. Weight management – This is extremely important as obesity is linked to cancers of the breast, colon, kidney, pancreas, etc. Ensure at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
  4. Alcohol – This increases the risk of cancers such as liver, breast, and throat. Consumption is to be either stopped or intake is to be limited.
  5. UV radiation – Extended exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Suitable protection is to be ensured, including sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoidance of tanning beds.
  6. Vaccinations – These are important to protect against infections that could cause cancer. For instance,

HPV vaccine prevents cervical and throat cancers, while Hepatitis B vaccine prevents liver cancer.

  1. Carcinogen exposure – An important aspect of prevention is to reduce contact with carcinogens such as asbestos, radon, and industrial chemicals.
  2. Screening – Periodic screening is important for early detection of precancerous conditions. Ideal screenings could include mammograms for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, colonoscopies for colorectal cancer.
  3. Immune system – Certain infections such as HIV and Epstein-Barr virus are known to increase cancer risk. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the immune system and avoid behaviors that could expose you to the above conditions. For instance, unprotected sex, needle sharing are actions that could expose the person to risk of infections.

Which Is The Most Effective Mouth Cancer Treatment?

Let us continue with answers to the question – how to cure mouth cancer without surgery? Let us understand treatment options for cancer that are the most effective. This depends on the stage, location, and the overall health of the patient.

  1. Surgery – is effective for early-stage cancers, and involves removing the tumor and, affected lymph nodes in the neck. This comes with high success rates for localized cancers that are detected early.
  2. Radiation therapy – is effective in early-stage cancers, follow-up post-surgery to wipe out remaining cancer cells. This is also suitable for localized cancers and preserving normal tissue.
  3. Chemotherapy – is effective for advanced cancers, and those that have spread.
  4. Targeted therapy – is suitable for cancers with specific genetic or molecular changes.
  5. Immunotherapy – is ideal for advanced or recurrent cancers that does not resolve with other treatments.

Is Mouth Cancer Treatment Without Surgery Possible?

Non-surgical options exist for mouth cancer, and are effective for certain cases. Here is a look at these options as part of answers to the question – how to cure mouth cancer without surgery? These options work when conditions are more suitable as per the stage, type, or location of the cancer, and the health of the patient.

The goal of non-surgical treatments is to destroy or control growth of cancer cells, ensuring that surrounding tissues are not affected. Options include the following:

  1. Radiation therapy – through high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. This is an alternative option to surgery when patients are assessed as unable to undergo surgery. It is also used in combination with chemotherapy for advanced stages.
  2. Chemotherapy – through drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. This is suitable in advanced cancer stages, when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It is combined with radiation therapy.
  3. Targeted therapy – through drugs to target specific molecules that contribute to the growth of cancer cells. It is typically combined with radiation for cancers and is a good option because of lesser side effects when compared with chemotherapy.
  4. Immunotherapy – through drugs assist the immune system in recognizing and destroying cancer cells in cases where treatments do not fetch desired results. It offers long-term control in some advanced cases.

When Are Non-surgical Treatments Suitable?

The above options are suitable only in specific cases or circumstances. For instance, in early stages radiation therapy is effective for small, localized tumors. In advanced stages, chemoradiation which is a combination of targeted therapy and radiation is used to control the disease. It is also preferred when surgery is assessed to pose a risk to the patient or the patient has certain existing health conditions.

Non-surgical treatment options are more often than not, combined with other treatments for maximum effectiveness, as listed below:

  1. Radiation + chemotherapy – for advanced cancers.
  2. Radiation + targeted therapy – for cases where specific genetic markers are observed.
  3. Immunotherapy + chemotherapy – for advanced cancers or metastatic cases.

Quick Overview Of Oral Cancer

This refers to cancer that develops in the tissues of the mouth or the throat. Commonly reported symptoms include mouth sores or ulcers that do not resolve, and white or red patches inside the mouth. Other symptoms include formation of lumps or thickening in the cheek, difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the tongue. There could be abnormal bleeding in the mouth, and numb feeling in the mouth or jaw, apart from persistent sore throat.

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