The Oral Cancer Evaluation - The Key to Early Detection
We take the responsibility for including oral cancer evaluations in each of our dental exams. The politician’s debate last week brought national attention to HPV infections and as a result, we have had some questions from our patients about recent reports that the incidence of HPV cancers is increasing and how that could affect them. While most people know that human papilloma virus (HPV) is linked to cancer of the cervix, they may not know that HPV is involved in many other types of cancers including 60% of oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the throat, tongue and tonsils).
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
The tongue is the most common site of oral cancer. Typically, the side of the tongue (farthest back in the mouth) is involved. The floor of the mouth (the area underneath the tongue) is next in order of frequency followed by the insides of the cheeks with involvement of other areas showing a lesser incidence. Signs and symptoms include sores that bleed and don’t heal, swelling of the tongue or throat, red or white spots, or even tiny marks that look similar to canker sores. Risk factors for oral cancer include alcohol abuse, drug use, family history, and multiple sex partners.
The Dangers of Oral Cancer
The death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high -- not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because in its early stages it may not be noticed by the patient, as it can frequently develop without producing pain or symptoms they might readily recognize, and because it has a high risk of producing second, primary tumors. This means that patients who survive a first encounter with the disease, have up to a 20 times higher risk of developing a second cancer. The good news is that oral cancer is 90% curable when found early. In our experience, when we have found evidence of oral cancer, it has been early enough that our patients are able to treat the disease and make a complete recovery.
