It is mandatory to have an immediate meeting with the doctor if you are suffering from any of the Oral Cancer symptoms. As we already discussed that the severity of the symptoms could vary according to the individual’s health. Most of the time, it is seen that people ignore the Oral Cancer Symptoms because of which the disease reaches its advanced stage, and that becomes difficult for the doctors to treat it.
As stated in the Globocan 2012 data that if Oral cancer can be diagnosed at the early stage, the percentage of curing it is around 80% and if Oral cancer reaches its advanced stage, the rate curing the disease is just 20%. Therefore, immediately go for the Oral Cancer diagnostic test to detect the disease at the early stage.
Through the diagnostic test, doctors aim to find or detect the stage of cancer and check out whether it has spread to other organs of the body or not. When the cancer cells start to influence and affect the nearby organs, it is called the metastasis stage (advanced stage of cancer). According to this, it is decided that which type of diagnostic test is best for the patient. Other factors which play an essential role in determining the type of diagnostic tests are:
- Type of Oral Cancer
- The severity of the symptoms
- Age of Patient
- The medical health of the patient
- According to the reports of previous medical test
The above reports decide the Oral Cancer Diagnostic Test. The various methods for the diagnosis of Oral cancer are:
Physical Test
Physical Test is the primary oral cancer detection test. In the physical examination, the doctor will look out for the abnormalities on the lips and mouth. If there is an issue, they will look into the signs and symptoms, and according to that, the next diagnostic test will be suggested.
Endoscopy
Through endoscopy, doctors go to have a detailed interior look of the mouth. This is achieved by a long, thin, and flexible tube with an attached light and view lens at the front. This tube is inserted into the body through the mouth or nose, and the image is seen on the below display screen. This instrument is called the Endoscope. This test is conducted under anesthesia so that the sensation of pain can be eliminated.
Biopsy
After getting to know about the infected area through Endoscopy, doctors can go for Biopsy. In this diagnostic test for mouth cancer, doctors take a small tissue out of the infected area and examine that under the microscope. Now, depending upon the location of cancer, the type of Biopsy is decided. The two suggested biopsy types for Oral cancer are:
- Needle Aspiration Biopsy: In Needle Aspiration Biopsy, a thin needle is directly inserted into the body to remove cells from the infected areas. The pathologists later diagnose these cells to prepare the final report of the disease.
- Oral Brush Biopsy: Oral Brush Biopsy is the type of biopsy which is conducted in the dental clinic. The dentist uses a small needle and brings out tissue from the spacious areas. These tissues are later sent to the laboratory for examination, and if there is cancer, tradition Biopsy is used to confirm the results.
X-Ray
In x-rays, a small amount of radiation is used to create images of the internal organs of the body. X-rays is an older method of detecting Oral Cancer. X-rays are suggested when the doctors want to have a look of the abnormalities in the mouth or throat.
Computed Tomography or CT Scan
CT Scan is useful in creating the three-dimensional images of internal organs of the body. This is achieved with the help of x-rays when taken from different angles. Now, these images through x-rays are combined with the support of a computer for the detailed and better cross-sectional view of the abnormalities. Sometimes doctors inject a special dye called a contrast medium into the veins or give it in the form of liquid to swallow to get a better image of the infected organ.
CT Scan has proved handy in
- Measuring the size of a tumor
- Checking the metastasis state of cancer
- Determine whether cancer can be removed surgically or not
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Most of the time Positron emission tomography (PET) is combined with CT Scan for better results. In PET Scan, a small amount of radioactive sugar is injected into the body. Now, this radioactive sugar will be absorbed by the cells which are high in energy, and it is seen that the cancer cells are always high in energy compared to healthy cells. So, the cancer cells will absorb this radioactive substance, and with that, the scanner will detect these cells and the location of the cancerous cells.
Ultrasound
In Ultrasound, the sound waves are used to create the images of the organ. Through ultrasound, the spreading of cancer to the lymph node in the neck called cervical lymph nodes can also be detected.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
In MRI, Magnetic waves are used to create an image of the infected section. Also, MRI is useful in capturing the soft tissue of the mouth like tonsils, the base of tongue, etc. To conduct MRI, a small amount of contrast medium is injected into the body through the veins, so that they can collect a better sample of the infected area.
These are the methods which the doctors suggest for the Oral Cancer Diagnosis. On the basis of reports of these tests, the best-suited treatment for Oral Cancer for that particular individual is recommended. However, if you have any query, you are free to contact the experts at Candrol. Fill out the contact form and book an appointment now.
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