Oral Cancer Screening We provide oral cancer screening to our patients as part of a routine cleaning and examination. This basic procedure is performed to detect any symptoms of oropharyngeal (oral) cancer. Oral cancer is a fairly common condition experienced by about 53,000 Americans per year. Approximately 10,750 of these cases will be fatal, which is why early detection is critically important. There are a few common test types and several follow-up options if there are any concerns noted. We will explain all of this to you when you have your appointment at Leavenworth Family Dental.What is Oral Cancer?Oral cancer is a term that actually refers to several different types of cancers. These fall under the oropharyngeal cancer umbrella, which affects the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Oral cancer can present in many different ways, but some of the common symptoms are sores, inflammation, pain, mobility loss, vocal changes, chronic bad breath, and weight loss. Of course, these symptoms are similar to many other dental conditions, which is another reason why screening is necessary. Oral cancer can happen to anyone at any age, though it is more common in older patients. Poor nutrition, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, genetics, tobacco and alcohol use, and the presence of other immune-compromising diseases can increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Oral cancer is also about twice as common among males than females. Test TypesOral cancer screening does not have a standard. Our screening and testing may look different based on your specific condition and medical history. At your routine appointment, our dentist will perform a basic visual check and note any odd symptoms. If you do have any abnormalities, our dentist will then recommend further testing. Some of the common oral cancer screening tests we use are biopsy, cytology, and staining. The biopsy is used when you have a lesion. A special brush collects cells from within the lesion, which can then be observed under a microscope. Cytology is similar, but this uses a brush, stick, or piece of cotton to collect surface-level cells from your lips, tongue, and mouth. Staining can either be done with a blue stain or fluorescent mouth rinse. These cause differences in appearance between normal tissue and abnormal, potentially cancerous tissue. You may also be sent for diagnostic imaging or a specialist referral if we need to examine areas under the tissue or check the oral structure. X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans are the most common methods of diagnostic imaging. Your medical team, our dentist included, will likely want to examine your throat and nose as well. Cancer can spread, so these other areas could easily be affected by cancers that start in the mouth. There are many treatment options for oral cancer that we will discuss with you throughout this process. Therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies are used frequently to treat many different types of cancer. Surgery may also be used to remove or combat cancerous tissue, as well as to reconstruct areas that have been affected by the cancer. For more information on oral cancer screening, call Leavenworth Family Dental at 913-682-1550 today. |
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