Oral Cancer Screening and Treatment in Cuttack
India has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world. According to national cancer registries, oral cancers account for nearly 30% of all cancers in India — a proportion far higher than in Western countries. In Odisha, the widespread use of tobacco, gutka, khaini, pan masala, and areca nut (supari) puts large sections of the population at elevated risk. Yet oral cancer, when caught early, is highly treatable.
At ZDentistry in CDA Sector-9, Cuttack, oral cancer screening is included as a routine part of every dental examination. Dr. Zuben Mohanty (MDS, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon) has the specialist training to detect, biopsy, and surgically manage oral cancers and pre-cancerous lesions.
Why Oral Cancer Screening Matters in Cuttack
The challenge with oral cancer is that it is often painless in its early stages. A small ulcer, a white patch, a subtle change in the texture of the gum — these can be easy to dismiss or ignore. By the time pain or difficulty swallowing develops, the cancer may have grown significantly or spread to the lymph nodes, reducing treatment options and outcomes.
Regular dental visits — every 6 months — provide the opportunity for systematic screening of all oral tissues, not just the teeth. Most patients cannot adequately examine the back of their own tongue, the floor of the mouth, or the soft palate — areas where cancers commonly develop.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
The following significantly increase your risk:
- Tobacco in any form — gutka, khaini, pan masala, smokeless tobacco, bidi, cigarettes, cigars
- Areca nut (supari) — chewed with or without tobacco, a recognised carcinogen that causes submucous fibrosis (hardening of the mouth lining)
- Alcohol consumption — risk increases dramatically when combined with tobacco
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) — particularly HPV-16, increasingly implicated in cancers of the oropharynx (throat and tonsil area)
- Prolonged sun exposure — relevant for lip cancer, more common in outdoor workers
- Previous oral cancer — patients who have been treated once have a higher risk of a second primary cancer
Having no risk factors does not guarantee immunity. Approximately 25% of oral cancers occur in people with no identifiable risk factors.
Warning Signs: When to See Us Urgently
Do not wait for your routine appointment if you notice:
- A mouth sore (ulcer) that does not heal within 2 weeks
- White or red patches inside the mouth, on the gums, tongue, or cheek lining
- A lump or thickening in the cheek, jaw, or neck
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness lasting more than 2–3 weeks
- Numbness or pain in the tongue, lip, or other area of the mouth
- Unexplained loose teeth in the absence of gum disease
- Unexplained bleeding from the mouth
- Dramatic unexplained weight loss
Any of these symptoms lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated promptly — not monitored at home.
What Oral Cancer Screening Involves at ZDentistry
Visual Examination Dr. Zuben systematically examines all surfaces of the oral cavity: lips, tongue (top, sides, and underside), floor of mouth, cheeks, gums, palate, and the back of the throat. He looks for colour changes, surface irregularities, ulcers, and asymmetries.
Palpation Feeling with gloved hands for lumps, firm areas, or enlarged lymph nodes in the mouth, jaw, and neck.
Risk Assessment A brief conversation about tobacco and alcohol use, dietary habits, and any symptoms you may have noticed.
Biopsy When Indicated If a suspicious lesion is found, the definitive step is a biopsy — a small tissue sample taken under local anaesthesia and sent to a pathology laboratory. Results typically take 7–10 days. Dr. Zuben performs incisional biopsies and excisional biopsies (removing the entire lesion) in-house, often in a single appointment.
Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) — A Particular Concern in Odisha
Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic condition caused by areca nut/betel quid chewing that progressively hardens the tissues of the mouth, causing difficulty opening the mouth and a burning sensation. It is classified as a pre-malignant condition, with a significant proportion of untreated cases progressing to oral cancer over time.
This condition is very prevalent in Odisha and Cuttack due to the widespread habit of chewing gutka and paan. Dr. Zuben has extensive experience in diagnosing and managing OSMF — including surgical release procedures for patients with severely restricted mouth opening. If you or a family member chews tobacco or areca nut and have noticed mouth stiffness, please book an evaluation.
Surgical Management of Oral Cancer
When oral cancer is diagnosed, surgery is usually the primary treatment modality for early-stage disease. Dr. Zuben’s maxillofacial surgical training enables him to:
- Excise (remove) tumours with adequate surgical margins
- Perform selective neck dissection to remove and sample affected lymph nodes
- Reconstruct oral tissue defects using local flaps or in coordination with plastic and reconstructive surgeons
- Coordinate care with oncologists and radiation specialists for comprehensive multimodal treatment
For patients requiring chemotherapy or radiotherapy alongside surgery, ZDentistry coordinates closely with oncology teams at specialist hospitals in the region.
Prevention
Reducing oral cancer risk is substantially within your control:
- Stop all tobacco use — gutka, khaini, cigarettes, bidi, smokeless tobacco. If you need help quitting, speak to your doctor about cessation support.
- Stop or reduce areca nut (supari) use — even without tobacco, areca nut is a carcinogen
- Limit alcohol — especially in combination with tobacco
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables — antioxidants provide some protective benefit
- Attend regular dental check-ups — every 6 months for screening
- Use lip balm with SPF if you spend significant time outdoors
Book an Oral Cancer Screening in Cuttack
Oral cancer screening is simple, painless, and could be life-saving. Whether you have specific concerns or simply want peace of mind, book an appointment at ZDentistry in CDA Sector-9, Cuttack today.
Oral cancer screening is included in every dental check-up at ZDentistry. If you notice any unusual jaw or neck swellings, have them evaluated promptly — they may indicate lymph node involvement. After cancer treatment, facial cosmetic surgery and advanced dental implants can help with reconstruction and rehabilitation of the mouth and jaw.