“Most mouth ulcers heal within 7–14 days and are harmless. However, any ulcer that persists beyond two weeks should never be ignored. Early clinical evaluation can help detect serious conditions like oral cancer at a stage when treatment is more effective and outcomes are significantly better. Don’t rely solely on home remedies or painkillers—timely examination can make all the difference.”
“Progressive reduction in mouth opening is not a normal part of ageing. Especially in individuals who chew tobacco, gutkha, or areca nut, it may indicate Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), a potentially precancerous condition. Early diagnosis, complete tobacco cessation, and appropriate treatment can prevent irreversible damage and reduce the risk of oral cancer.”
Discover whether oral cancer can be cured, treatment options, surgery, recovery and why early diagnosis improves outcomes with Dr. Ankit Shah.
Learn how tobacco, gutkha and smoking silently damage your mouth, the early warning signs of oral cancer and why quitting early can save your life.
“A white patch does not automatically mean cancer. But a white patch that refuses to disappear deserves an explanation.”“Doctor, I have had this white patch inside my mouth for months. It doesn’t hurt. Should I be worried?”This is a question I hear quite often in my clinic.Sometimes the patch was noticed by the patient while
“Doctor, I have never smoked, never chewed gutkha and never used tobacco. Then how did I get oral cancer?” This is one of the most difficult questions patients ask me.For years, we have rightly spoken about the strong relationship between tobacco and oral cancer. But somewhere along the way, this has created another belief:“If I
“A lump in the neck is often harmless. But a lump that stays, grows, or appears without an obvious reason deserves attention.” “Doctor, I noticed this swelling in my neck a few weeks ago. It doesn’t hurt. Should I be worried?”This is a question I hear regularly.Most of us have experienced swollen glands at some
“Doctor, if you can already see that the ulcer looks suspicious, why do I need a biopsy? Why not simply remove it?” This is a very reasonable question.When patients hear the word biopsy, many become anxious. Some worry that taking a piece from a suspicious ulcer may make the cancer spread. Others feel that if
“Doctor, I understand that the cancer needs to be removed. But after surgery… will I be able to eat and speak normally again?” For many patients, this is the real fear.When someone is diagnosed with oral cancer, the first concern is naturally survival. But once the initial shock settles, different questions begin to appear.Will part
“Doctor, I understand that the cancer has to be removed. But what exactly will you do during the surgery?” Once a patient hears the word cancer, everything that follows can become difficult to absorb.Suddenly, the consultation is filled with unfamiliar words—margins, neck dissection, reconstruction, free flap, ICU. Families are trying to understand the disease while
