Man's gum inflammation reveals stage 4 oral cancer; doctors save him without disfigurement

A 43-year-old man in Taiwan has been diagnosed with stage 4 oral cancer, a condition that initially presented as persistent gum swelling and inflammation.

Mr. Chung, who has a significant smoking habit, had previously managed his gum issues with medication. However, the symptoms returned in February of the previous year with greater severity. When over-the-counter drugs proved ineffective, he sought medical attention, only to discover the advanced stage of his cancer.

As the sole breadwinner for his family, Mr. Chung faced the prospect of traditional surgery, which could have led to significant disfigurement and impaired functions, potentially affecting his ability to work. To address this, the medical team at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital employed a cutting-edge technique from Yokohama, Japan: "super-selective intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy."

This advanced treatment precisely targeted the 7x6 cm tumor by delivering high-concentration chemotherapy drugs directly into its core via micro-catheters inserted through various arterial pathways. This approach acted as a potent radiosensitizer, enhancing the effectiveness of concurrent radiation therapy. The result was the complete eradication of the tumor without the need for bone resection or facial disfigurement. After a six-week, 30-session treatment course, Mr. Chung is now cancer-free and has expressed his gratitude to the medical team for allowing him to live a normal life.