Whole Body Oral Cavity Cancer Management cost:
{the cost covers all destination medical & logistics costs}
International Destinations: India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey
Oral cavity cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the lips, buccal mucosa (inner lining of the cheeks), tongue, gums, palate (floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth), a small portion of area behind the wisdom tooth (retromolar trigone) and the salivary glands. 90 % of all oral cavity cancers are usually squamous cell carcinomas. The other 10 % are verrucous carcinomas, salivary gland carcinomas, and lymphomas. Mexico, Jordan, South Korea, India and Turkey are the preferred international destinations for the treatment and management of cancers originating within the mouth.
Carcinoma of the oral cavity is treated well through a multidisciplinary approach of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
The 5 year survival rate for a person in the stage 1 and 2 of the cancer is 70 %, while for those in the stage 3, the rate is 50 %, and the rate drops to 35 % for individuals in the stage 4 of the cancer.
The surgeries performed to manage the cancers of the oral cavity are major surgeries, that could greatly change the way one looks, eats, speaks, and copes with life. The site and extent of the cancer determines the nature of the surgery, whether tissues from the tongue, larynx, the palate, lip, or jaw bones need to be excised.
1. Primary tumor resection
The tumor growth is excised with some of the surrounding healthy tissue. This is done to ensure that there isn’t any cancerous tissue left behind, which could lead to re-growths. In cases of tumors of small sizes, the surgery is performed through the mouth. Larger tumors require a mandibulectomy (an incision through the jaw bone), or an incision made in the neck, to gain access to the growth.
2. Mandibular resection
A madibular resection becomes necessary, in cases where there is a spread of the cancerous growth to the mandible (jaw bone). The surgery would entail either a partial resection or a complete resection of the jaw bone. A partial resection removes a thin layer of the mandible that contains the teeth, while a complete resection involves the removal of all the mandibular bone.
3. Maxillectomy
Carcinoma of the hard palate (roof of the mouth) necessitates either a partial maxillectomy or a complete maxillectomy. A maxillectomy would leave a gap between the roof and the nose above, thus, prosthesis is needed to fill in the gap.
4. Moh’s surgery
Moh’s surgical procedure is highly beneficial in the management of lip cancers. This surgery removes layers of the cancerous tissues, in very fine slices. Each slice is assessed and examined before excising another slice. The procedure is stopped when no cancer cells are demonstrated under the microscope.
5. Glossectomy
A partial glossectomy, involves the removal of a part of the tongue, while a total glossectomy involves the removal of almost all the tongue. It is followed up with a reconstruction surgery (of a prosthetic tongue) to prevent excessive speech and swallowing difficulties. These cases require good family support and counseling.
6. Laryngectomy
Large cancerous growths in the tongue or the oro-pharynx would necessitate the removal of a part or the entire larynx (voice box). This surgery is called a laryngectomy. A partial or a complete laryngectomy could be performed, depending on the extent of spread. The larynx connects the mouth to the lungs. After a laryngectomy, a tracheostomy needs to be performed which links the end of the trachea (wind pipe) to an opening in the neck, through which one breathes.
7. Neck dissection
To prevent metastasis through the lymphatic channels, the lymph nodes in the neck need to be dissected out. The lymph nodes surrounding the tumor growth are sent for laboratory examination for the presence of cancer cells. Once confirmed, a large number of the lymph nodes in the neck are excised out. A neck dissection is a big surgical procedure, and has considerable side effects. The surgeon will decide on either one of the following 3 modes – a partial neck dissection, a modified radical neck dissection, or a radical neck dissection.
8. Reconstruction surgery
Reconstruction surgery becomes essential in cases where a large area of the skin is removed. Management is done through skin flaps and skin grafts. Skin flaps A fold of the skin or muscle is removed from the vicinity of the wound, and rotated over, to cover it. Skin graft A skin flap is helpful in managing a large or a deep wound. Tissues from various parts of the body – bowel muscles from the arms or the abdomen could be utilized for the operation.
9. Palliative surgery
Oral carcinomas which cannot be cured would require a palliative procedure which would ease the symptoms and improve the quality of life. The following procedures are usually recommended.
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hyperthermia therapy
This procedure involves heating of the cancerous tissue above the body temperature to kill the tumor cells or to make them more sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy.
Jordan has become a huge competitor in the blossoming medical tourism industry. The facilities and equipments are all state of the art, yet the prices are rock bottom, some as low as 10 % of the fees charged in the United States of America. The Jordanian ministry of health has done everything in its power to ensure quick, cheap and effective health care facilities.
India has emerged as a prominent medical tourism destination, housing the best doctors and surgeons, high-standard health care providers, and optimum infrastructure, all at affordable rates.
Turkey is known for its expertise in the field of oncology and cancer management. It offers experienced surgeons and health care personnel, quality care, and incorporates optimum safety measures to ward off complications.
Mexico grants the most positive, approved and finest medical care facilities, and clinches all the modern and advanced surgical procedures, techniques and equipments. The various surgeries and treatments required for the effective management of cancers are carefully and cleverly handled.
South Korea has quickly emerged as a sought after destination for medical tourism. It offers excellent medical care, the best possible management through the use of sophisticated gadgets, modern surgical procedures, and well experienced therapists.
Resources:
Cyberknife in India
Cyberknife at Anadolu Medical Center, Turkey
Chemotherapy Treatment (CHOP) Abroad
RCHOP Chemotherapy
Cyberknife Cancer Radiotherapy Overseas Radical Gastrectomy Surgery Abroad
Mastectomy Surgery Abroad
Total Pelvic Exenteration Abroad
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates Oral Cavity Cancer treatment in Europe (Turkey) and other overseas world-class oncology treatment destinations.
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