American Hospital Clinics Doha

He noticed it for two months. He assumed it would go away. It was early-stage oral cancer — caught in time. Two more months, and it might not have been.

Oral cancer sits where we can see it and feel it. Yet the average time between first symptom and diagnosis is six months or more. The reason, consistently, is dismissal. At American Hospital Clinics Doha, Dr. Irene Ann Shibu provides specialist oral and maxillofacial assessment, in-clinic biopsy, and coordinated treatment planning — because early-stage oral cancer is highly curable and late-stage is not.

Sore in your mouth for more than 3 weeks?

Book an Oral Assessment Today

Book Appointment Now!
+974 44038777

Warning Signs That Must Not Be Dismissed

  • A sore that does not heal:  Any ulcer or lesion in the mouth persisting beyond three weeks. Three weeks without healing is the threshold.
  • White or red patches (leukoplakia or erythroplakia):  Persistent patches that cannot be scraped off. Red patches carry higher malignant potential than white ones.
  • A lump or thickening:  Anywhere on the cheek, tongue, lip, or floor of the mouth.
  • Persistent hoarseness or sore throat:  Beyond two weeks without an obvious cause.
  • Difficulty swallowing or chewing:  New or worsening difficulty not explained by dental problems.
  • Unexplained numbness or pain:  In the lip, tongue, or floor of mouth without a clear dental cause.
  • A neck lump:  A new, persistent lump in the neck not resolving within 3 to 4 weeks — even without an obvious lesion in the mouth.

Stage 1 oral cancer: five-year survival above 80%. Stage 4: around 30 to 40%. The difference is almost entirely determined by when the patient presents. Three weeks of not healing is the threshold. Come in.

oral cancer symptoms Qatar

Who Is at Higher Risk?

✔  Tobacco users of any kind — including smokeless tobacco (paan, naswar), common in South Asian communities in Qatar

✔  Regular alcohol consumption — risk multiplies significantly when combined with tobacco

✔  HPV infection (HPV-16) — now the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer in younger, non-smoking patients

✔  Chronic sun exposure to the lower lip — relevant for outdoor workers in Qatar’s intense sun

✔  Age over 40 and male sex — though HPV-associated cancers are shifting the demographic younger

Medically reviewed and endorsed by:

Department Review & Clinical Oversight

 

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department American Hospital Clinics Doha

"Oral cancer does not ask to be noticed. A white patch, a sore that will not heal, a lump you can feel with your tongue — these are not nothing. They are signs that require professional assessment, not wishful thinking. The window for simple, curative treatment is early stage. Three weeks of not healing is enough reason to come in."

What Happens at an Oral Cancer Assessment at American Hospital Clinics Doha

Complete Oral Examination

Dr. Irene Ann Shibu examines all mucosal surfaces — floor of the mouth, tongue, soft palate, and tonsillar pillars — areas often inadequately examined in a routine dental check.

Biopsy of Suspicious Lesions

The only way to confirm or exclude malignancy. Performed under local anaesthesia in-clinic. Definitive results typically within a few days.

Imaging if Indicated

CT, or PET scan to assess depth of invasion and lymph node involvement.

Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning

All oral cancer cases reviewed with oncology, radiation therapy, and head and neck surgery for coordinated, personalised treatment planning.

Why Choose American Hospital Clinics Doha?

✔  Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon — Dr. Irene Ann Shibu, License D10082

✔  In-clinic biopsy under local anaesthesia — no hospital admission required

✔  Rapid referral pathway to oncology and head and neck surgery

✔  Complete oral cancer screening protocol

✔  Priority booking for patients with symptoms for 3+ weeks

✔  Most major Qatar insurance plans accepted

Your health is managed with precision, safety, and long-term care — by specialists who treat people, not just conditions.

What Our Patients in Doha Say

— David L., 54, Doha · Verified Patient

"I showed Dr. Irene a white patch I had noticed on my tongue. She took it seriously immediately, performed a biopsy the same week, and it came back as mild dysplasia — pre-cancerous. Early treatment and monitoring have kept me completely clear. I am so grateful I came in."

— Anitha R., 48, West Bay, Doha · Verified Patient

"Dr. Shibu is exceptionally thorough and genuinely reassuring. I had been worried about a persistent sore for weeks but kept putting it off. She made the whole assessment quick, professional, and completely comfortable. It turned out to be benign — but I would never delay a check-up again."

FAQs

Can a routine dentist miss oral cancer?
A general dentist performs a basic oral examination. A specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs a comprehensive examination of all mucosal surfaces including areas a routine dental check often misses. If you have persistent symptoms, see a specialist.
Does oral cancer always hurt?
No. Early oral cancer is frequently painless. Pain often develops only as the lesion grows and involves surrounding structures. Do not wait for pain — come in when you notice a change that does not resolve.
How is a biopsy performed at American Hospital Clinics Doha?
Under local anaesthetic gel — most patients describe the procedure as similar to a minor dental procedure. A small tissue sample is taken from the suspicious area and sent for laboratory analysis. You go home the same day.
Is oral cancer linked to HPV?
Yes, significantly for oropharyngeal cancer (tonsils and base of tongue). HPV-16 is responsible for a rapidly growing proportion of head and neck cancers in younger, non-smoking patients.
Can HPV vaccination prevent oral cancer?
HPV vaccines protect against the high-risk strains most associated with oropharyngeal cancer. Vaccination before exposure — ideally in adolescence — provides the greatest protection. The vaccine is available in Qatar.
How quickly can I get an oral cancer assessment at American Hospital Clinics Doha?
Same-day and priority appointments are available. Call +974 44038777 or book at americanhospital.qa. Dr. Irene Ann Shibu offers specialist oral surgery consultations with in-clinic biopsy if required.

Book Your Oral Cancer Assessment Today

Three weeks of a sore that has not healed is enough reason. Don’t wait.

Book Appointment Now!
+974 44038777

  C Ring Road, Al Muntazah Street, Doha, Qatar