Oral Cancer Treatment in India

In case of any suspicion of cancer, the patient is subjected to necessary laboratory testing in order to monitor the status of cancer, as well as, to monitor any sign of metastasis. 

• Biopsy: A small cell sample or tissue sample is taken to test the malignancy of the affected area.

• X-ray: Mild radiation is used to detect any sign of metastasis in the bone, i.e., whether the associated bones have been affected or not.

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound examination of the neck is very common in these cases. It provides a visual image of the internal structures on a computer screen, thereby assisting the doctors to locate the extent of damage and perform further tests.

• MRI scan: Special magnetic resonance is used to obtain images of the internal structures and organs.

• FNA: Known as Fine Needle Aspiration, the procedure involves the insertion of a fine needle into the suspected or affected lymph node for the extraction of fluids and cells for cancer testing.

• CT scan: Computerized Tomography creates a series of 3-D images with the help of hold radiation. The candidate may or may not be administered with an injection before the scan.

Oral cancer treatments in India may include moderate to extensive procedures depending on the type and extent of the damage. The type of treatment required also determines the mouth cancer treatment cost in India.

• Radiation Therapy: This is subdivided into external and internal therapies depending on the mode of administration. Where the former involves focusing a high-energy radiation beam on the affected area, the latter uses specific radiation metals or substances that travels to the affected region and destroys the cells internally.

• Chemotherapy: Specific drugs are administered in the form of injections or consumable pills which kills the cancerous cells. In this, healthy cells might also get affected but shall recover over a period of time. 

• Targeted Therapy: This procedure is used to treat the causative agents that result in malignancy and is very specific. Combined with other therapies, this can help in the prevention of future recurrence. 

• Surgery: Surgical procedure is adopted for the complete removal of the cancerous cells. This includes removal of healthy cells encircling the affected region as well, in order to prevent any chances of further spreading or recurring. In case it spreads to lymph nodes, the surgeon may also remove the affected node, which will not cause any harm to the body. Oral surgery in extreme cases may be followed by reconstructive surgeries as well.

Oral cancer treatment costs in India averages around USD$7000. India is enriched with several government hospitals as well as charitable organizations that offer free and uncompromised treatments to patients from all over the world. However, for candidates on the lookout for treatments in reputed private hospitals, the treatments may begin from $280 per session for chemotherapy. 

In general, the overall oral cancer treatment cost in India is estimated to be around $5000 approximately. In case the patient requires targeted therapy along with chemotherapy and surgery, the mouth cancer treatment cost in India may rise above $6000.

Mouth cancer treatment cost in India varies as per the type of cancer diagnosed. Mouth cancer can affect any region inside the mouth, which determines the extent of treatment the candidate requires. 

• If cancer spreads to the brain, or lymph nodes, more extensive measures need to be taken, which directly affects the cost of treatment. 

• In the case of surgical procedures undertaken, the candidate might need to undergo reconstructive procedures to completely get back to normal life.

• The number of laboratory tests required also becomes a deciding factor for oral cancer treatment costs in India.

Although mouth cancer treatment cost in India is highly affordable, the medical facilities provided to the candidates remain unparalleled. The availability of advanced cutting-edge technology in multispecialty healthcare systems guarantees enhanced accuracy. This also caters to the increased success rates every year. Apart from that, the presence of renowned oncologists, specialists, radiologists and surgeons also sum up for best treatment facilities in the entire world. Thus, here are some of the best hospitals for oral cancer treatment in India:

• Apollo Indraprastha, New Delhi

• HCG Hospital, Bangalore

• Fortis Malar, Chennai

• Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon

The success rate of mouth cancer treatment in India depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Early detection during the initial stages guarantees the complete cure of cancer thereby helping the candidate to continue normal life henceforth. In most cases, success rates of oral cancer treatment vary from 50% to 53% for short-term ( or 5-year) survival. However, in progressive stages, complete curing becomes difficult.

India has a list of globally-acclaimed oncologists who have excelled in critical cases of all times. Though cancer treatment is advancing every day and is still dreaded, proficient surgeons have been able to provide a complete cure and a healthy life in many cases. The surgeons are crowned with decades of experience and a competent approach which helps in providing high success rates every year. 

• Dr. Surendra Kumar Dabas

• Dr. Girish Anand

• Dr. Biswajyoti Hazarika

• Dr. Tapaswini Pradhan

• Dr. Tejinder Singh