In a rare and eye-opening medical case, doctors at KIMS Hospital, Thane, successfully treated a 22-year-old man diagnosed with oral cancer — despite the absence of common risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or gutkha chewing. What made the case even more remarkable was that discussions during his treatment led to the discovery that his mother — also a non-habitual individual — was suffering from the same type of cancer.
Caused by chronic trauma
Ayaansh Trivedi had approached the doctors at KIMS a few weeks ago with persistent oral discomfort and a non-healing ulcer in his mouth. “Detailed evaluation revealed early-stage oral cancer. We were initially puzzled, as the patient had no history of habits typically associated with the disease. Further investigation identified the cause: chronic trauma from a sharp tooth repeatedly injuring the tongue and gums. This constant irritation had triggered malignant changes,” said Dr Hitesh Sanghvi, consultant, head and neck, oncosurgery at KIMS Hospital, Thane.
But it wasn’t an easy diagnosis. “I was in pain for almost two months. I visited multiple doctors back in Ankleshwar (Gujarat), but nothing worked out. So, through our relatives and a few known people in Mumbai, we approached doctors at KIMS Hospital. When the doctors checked me, at first glance, I was told that this was not a regular ulcer. They conducted the biopsy, and I was diagnosed with oral cancer. I was shocked as I have never smoked in my life, nor consumed alcohol or chewed gutkha,” Ayaansh said, adding that doctors pulled off a wonderful job.
Done without scarring
Considering that the patient is quite young, doctors said that the biggest challenge was to ensure that there wasn’t a scar left behind, distorting his face. “Generally, such cases leave behind a scar after surgery. We have to make a cut to remove the infected part because these cases are usually diagnosed quite late. However, since this one was an early diagnosis, we could prevent the scar. The timely surgery (wide local excision with neck dissection) helped us prevent the scar,” said the doctor. Early suspicion, quick diagnosis, and timely surgery spared the young patient from the long-term toxicity of radiation and preserved his quality of life. He was discharged within three days.
Casual talk saved mother
During a post-discharge follow-up session a week after the surgery, Ayaansh’s mother, Usha, casually mentioned to the doctor about a similar ulcer that persisted in her mouth for almost a month, as Dr Sanghvi discussed warning signs with the family. Clinical evaluation revealed a 2 cm x 1 cm suspicious lesion, and a biopsy confirmed early-stage malignancy.
The ulcer that was removed from Ayaansh’s mouth
“She underwent surgery, and the area was reconstructed using a local flap. The mother’s cancer was caught purely because the family was made aware of early symptoms during her son’s treatment. Awareness is not optional; it is lifesaving. Early-stage cancers can be treated with minimal impact on speech, swallowing, and overall function,” said Dr Anil Heroor, director, oncological sciences, KIMS Hospital.
Both patients underwent timely surgical intervention at KIMS Hospital, Thane, and are currently recovering well. Doctors emphasised that early detection played a crucial role in saving their lives, preventing the disease from progressing to advanced stages.
Because cancer was caught early
>> Aggressive treatments were avoided
>> Radiotherapy was not required
>> Speech, swallowing, taste, and appearance were preserved
>> Hospital stay and recovery time were minimal
>> Long-term survival outcomes improved significantly
Unusual symptoms of oral cancer
>> Non-healing ulcer or sore in the mouth lasting over 3 weeks
>> Persistent pain, burning, or numbness in the mouth
>> Lump, thickening, or rough area in the oral cavity
>> Bleeding without an obvious cause
>> Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue/jaw
>> Loosening of teeth without a dental reason
>> Change in voice or speech
>> Ear pain without ear disease (referred pain)
>> Red (erythroplakia), white (leukoplakia), or mixed patches on the tongue, gums, or cheek, especially in tobacco, alcohol, and areca nut users
