Brief Knowledge about Cancer of Cheek

It is more common in India than in Western countries. This is because people of India often indulge in chewing the betel nut. In western countries, it is more common among those who smoke heavily and drink alcohols.

Cancer of cheek is initially soft, non indurated papillary growths which later ulcerate. Lesion gradually invades and destroys the underlying soft tissues and bone. There may be leukoplakia to start with and this ultimately turns into malignancy.

There may or may not be foul smelling discharge. Cancer of cheek is usually a slow growing tumor. Spread to regional lymph nodes may occur. Local recurrence rate is high.

Treatment -

1. Radiotherapy.

2. Surgery is done in-

. Recurrent tumors.
. Residual tumors.
. Radiotherapy failure cases.
. Where radiotherapy facility is not available.

3. If cervical nodes are involved, then block dissection is done.