Dr. Sankar Srinivasan is one of the best oncologists in India with over 28+ years of experience. Currently working as a Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, Dr. Sankar Srinivasan specializes in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery, Men and Women Wellness Screening, PICC Line Insertion and Oral Cancer Treatment.
After completing his MBBS, from Government Stanley Medical College, Dr. Sankar Srinivasan trained and worked at Wayne State University Detroit, USA. The brilliant Dr. Sankar Srinivasan has been placed in the top 3 percent in the medical school board in Internal Medicine, and the top 10 percent in the Hematology boards.
Dr. Sankar Srinivasan is a member of various esteemed medical organizations including the American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Tamil Nadu Medical Council. He has won several awards such as the American Cancer Society Fellow Award, Ohio, and the Best Motor Award during fellowship.
Oral Cancer
Cancer originating in the tissues of the mouth is defined as oral cancer. Although a broad term, oral cancer includes cancers of the:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Cheek
- Floor of the mouth
- Sinuses
- Throat or pharynx
- Hard and soft palate
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Any sore in the oral region that has been there long enough should be checked out with a doctor. Other common symptoms are:
- Bleeding in the gums or mouth
- Numbness in an area of the mouth, tongue, or lips
- Sore in the neck, cheeks, or face that do not heal in 14 days.
- Soreness at the back of the throat
- Hoarseness of voice
- Weight loss
- Pain in the ears
If experiencing any of the above symptoms, visit your healthcare practitioner. Apollo Hospitals offers the best medical oncologists in Chennai for a medical consult.
Diagnosis of Oral Cancers
A physical examination of the affected area in the mouth, neck, head, or face can help to diagnose oral cancer.
A biopsy will conclusively determine the presence of cancer cells. A biopsy is a medical procedure where a small amount of the suspicious and discolored tissue is examined under a microscope.
Biopsy for oral cancers is done in the following ways:
- Incision or punch biopsy: If the affected area is accessible, an incision of punch biopsy can be done. A small area of the tissue is removed. Local anesthesia is administered during this biopsy.
- Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: A fine needle guided with ultrasound is inserted to draw out a small number of sample cells and fluids from the lump. An appointment with the best medical oncologists in Chennai can ensure a simple and pain-free FNAC procedure.
- A nasendoscopy: A long thin tube with a camera and light is guided through the nose into the throat. A local anesthetic spray may be used to reduce discomfort.
- A panendoscopy: This procedure is done under general anesthesia and is similar to a nasendoscopy. However, the panendoscope is a larger tube with better access and may be used to remove small tumors.
Biopsies are conducted in the hospitals under proper medical guidance from pathology and oncology teams. Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai has some of the best pathologists and oncologists to conduct biopsies.
Staging of Oral Cancer
If the results of the biopsy confirm the diagnosis of oral cancer, further tests are necessary to stage cancer before starting treatment. Tests may include ultrasound scans, X-rays, CT Scans, PET and MRI Scans to understand the spread of cancer. For oral cancers, staging is done using a TNM system where:
- T is the size of the tumor. T1 is the smallest while T4 is the more aggressive.
- N measures the spread of the cancer cells of the lymph nodes of the neck. N0 stands for no spread, N1, N2, and N3 show the extent of the spread.
- M indicates if the cancer cells have spread to other organs
There are three grades of oral cancer:
- Low Grade: These are slow-growing cancers.
- Moderate Grade: These are moderate cancers
- High Grade: These are aggressive cancers
The best medical oncologists in India use staging and grading to determine the prognosis of oral cancer.
Treatment of Oral Cancers
After grading and staging are done, cancer can be categorized as:
- Early-stage oral cancer: There is a higher chance for the patient to recover completely. Surgery may be required to remove cancer from the site.
- Intermediate-stage oral cancer: There is a chance for cure, however, the treatment is more complex and may require a combination of surgery and radiation.
- Advanced-stage oral cancer: Cancer has advanced and will require surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The chances of cure are low.
The treatment for oral cancer is done by a team consisting of head and neck cancer surgeons and medical oncology who administer chemotherapy. Dr. Sankar Srinivasan is an expert medical oncologist treating cancers of the neck and head at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai.
Conclusion
Tobacco use is the leading cause of oral cancer in the world. While some oral cancers are treatable, they may not be without complications. Changes in appearance due to surgical removal of the affected area, problems in speech and swallowing are some of the most common issues that require extensive therapy and rehabilitation. Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, has one of the best cancer care and cancer treatment, rehab, and palliative care facilities for cancer patients.
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