Park
Cities Dental
"The
Art and Science of a Healthy Smile"
Oral
Cancer
How common and how serious is
oral cancer?
Oral cancer, the sixth most common cancer, accounts for about 3.6
percent of all cancers diagnosed, with roughly 40,000 new cases of oral
cancer reported annually in the United States. The vast majority of oral
cancers occur in people older than 45 years, with men being twice as likely
as women to develop the disease.
The most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, lips, and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery, and even death. Your general dentist can perform a thorough screening for oral cancer.
What causes oral cancer?
Scientists aren't sure of the exact cause of oral cancer. However,
the carcinogens in tobacco products, alcohol and certain foods, as well
as excessive exposure to the sun have been found to increase the risk of
developing oral cancer. Risk factors for oral cancer may also be genetically
inherited.
What are the warning signs to
watch out for?
Oral cancer- represented by red, white or discolored lesions, patches
or lumps in or around the mouth-is typically painless in its early stages.
As the malignant cancer spreads and destroys healthy oral tissue, the lesions
or lumps become more painful. However, oral cancer is sometimes difficult
to self-diagnose so routine dental exams are recommended.
See your dentist immediately if you observe: any sore that persists longer than two weeks; a swelling, growth or lump anywhere in or about the mouth or neck; white or red patches in the mouth or on the lips; repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat; difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness.
How does a dentist screen for
oral cancer?
Your dentist should screen for oral cancer during routine
checkups. He or she feels for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your
neck, head, cheeks and oral cavity, and thoroughly examines the soft tissues
in your mouth, specifically looking for any sores or discolored tissues.
We now offer the OralCDx technique for virtually pain-free biopsy of suspect tissues. We simply scrub the suspect lesion with this small brush, then send the specimen to the lab for a quick determination of whether further testing is required.
How is oral cancer treated?
If your dentist suspects oral cancer, a biopsy of the lesion is
required to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery is required to remove the tumors,
which may cause disfiguration. Radiation therapy may be used as part of
the treatment.
What can I do to prevent oral
cancer?
Oral cancer accounts for roughly 9,000 deaths annually
(about 3 percent of all cancer-caused deaths). Of all major cancers, oral
cancer has the worst five- year survival rate at about 54 percent. Because
oral cancer is usually not diagnosed in its early stages, less than half
of all oral cancer patients are cured.
You can help prevent oral cancer by not smoking, using spit tobacco or drinking excessive alcohol. When tobacco use and alcohol use are combined, the risk of oral cancer increases 15 times more than non-users of tobacco and alcohol products. Research suggests that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may safeguard against oral cancer. Because successful treatment and rehabilitation are dependent on early detection, it is extremely important to see your dentist for an oral cancer screening and regular checkup at least every six months. Survival rates greatly increase the earlier oral cancer is discovered and treated. During your next dental visit, ask your dentist to do an oral cancer screening.
Click here to go to the OralCDX Web page.
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Send comments to: Dr. J. Eric Hibbs