Oral Cancer Screening at the Dentist Office

Oral Cancer Screening at Smile Symphony, Lithia Spring's Best Dentist

Why do we do Oral Cancer Screenings? Here are some quick facts:

1. Oral cancers account for about 40,000 cases of cancer every year
2. Oral cancers cause 8000 deaths every year
3. Treatment success is higher if diagnosed at early stage.
4. 75% of these cases are related to Smoking/Tobacco or Alcohol use

About 85% of the cancers in the head and neck comprise of oral cancers. Our mouth contains many lymph vessels, allowing for quicker metastasis (spread) of cancer. Common areas of cancer occur in the tongue, lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and hard and soft palate. According to the American Cancer Society, men have a greater chance of developing oral cancer than women. We perform Oral Cancer Screening at Smile Symphony during routine dental visits.

Causes

• Tobacco products have shown to be a prime contributor to oral cancer, in the form of smoking, dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco. The lips, gums, and cheeks are the areas most affected.
• Familial history of cancer can play a role in developing oral cancer.
• In light-skinned individuals, constant skin exposure may lead to premalignant and cancerous lesions.
• Excessive alcohol intake has shown to result in increase in risk of oral cancer.
• In women diagnosed with Human Papilloma Virus, oropharyngeal cancer can occur.

Symptoms

• Irritations or sores that do not go away
• Red or white patches
• Swelling of the area affected
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Difficulty performing ordinary motions, such as swallowing, speaking, chewing, or moving the tongue
• Pain may ensue, along with numbness and tenderness
• Inability to place dentures, due to growth of soft tissue
• Thickening of tissue, lumps, and small eroded areas

Diagnosis

Our dentists at Smile Symphony at Lithia Springs are skilled in detecting sores and lesions that may be cancerous. If any suspicious lesion is seen, we refer our patients to specialists that can help further diagnose and treat the lesions.

Methods used to diagnose:

• Biopsy
• MRI
• X-ray
• CT scan
• Endoscopy
• PET scan

Treatment

Like any ailment, early diagnosis will result in a better prognosis. Depending on the extent and duration of the lesion, the treatment will be suggested accordingly. Some options include:

• Surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue (reconstruction surgery may be needed after removal of the tumor)
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Drug therapy (target therapy) - a series of drugs are used to bind the cancerous tissue, restricting its growth.
• Supportive therapy- treatment aiding in maintaining the overall health. These include eating healthy, taking care of the teeth and gums, and stopping any tobacco usage.

Preventive

• Reduce exposure to sunlight and wear sunscreen prior to outdoor activities
• Stop tobacco usage
• Refrain from excessive alcohol intake
• Eat a balanced diet containing Vitamin A, C, E, fruits and vegetables
• Keep your mouth clean with regular brushing, flossing, and mouth rinsing.
• Visit the physicians for routine physicals and dental appointments