Oral Cancer Warning Signs

Watching your mouth for early warning signs is the best line of defense. If you notice a sore in your mouth that does not heal or causes discomfort or tenderness please call us immediately. Time is always of the essence. 

There are a number of ideas and technologies that screeners may add to the visual and tactile screening. The most common is a blue light which helps them distinguish some tissue changes that may not be different enough from the surrounding tissue for a screener to notice. NOT ALL OF THE TISSUE CHANGES THESE LIGHTS WILL FIND ARE CANCER, and the vast majority of discoveries with a tissue autofluorescence blue light are benign. While these lights are not specific to finding cancer, they can be a useful additional tool for the examiner. 

Oral Cancer Screening is Critical

Front of the mouth oral cancers, usually related to tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption or a genetic predisposition in a small number of cases, often produce visible pre-cancerous tissue changes that can be seen with the naked eye. 

In the very rear of the mouth known as the oropharynx, cancer can occur related to tobacco, use but now more frequently it is caused by the HPV16 virus, one that is commonly associated with cervical and other cancers. Therefore, do not think that because you are a non-smoker that you should skip these important screenings. 

Oropharyngeal cancers occur frequently in the tonsils and at the base of the tongue where it begins to curve down into the throat. Both these areas are hard to visualize, and early cancers in these areas do not often produce surface changes that a screener can see. 

Because of this, a good screening will incorporate verbal questions about symptomology that an individual might experience, but be unaware that it is an early warning sign for the development of a cancer in this region.

Photo: Source: https://groupdentistrynow.com/oral-cancer-free-screening-dso-dental-group-practice-utah/

Source: https://oralcancerfoundation.org/screening/

April: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Factors that may increase risk

Research has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral cancer. Historically, those at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer have been heavy drinkers and smokers older than age 50, but today the cancer also is occurring more frequently in younger, nonsmoking people. The sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16 (HPV) is related to the increasing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (most commonly involving tonsillar tissue, including the base of tongue) in that younger population. HPV caused oropharyngeal cancer may present with one or more of the following persistent (longer than two-three weeks) signs and symptoms:

• a painless lump or swelling felt in the neck
• sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or pain when swallowing
• swelling of the tonsillar areas at the back of the mouth

Be aware of the symptoms and risk factors of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Early detection and treatment may well be the key to a complete recovery.

Source:

https://www.aaom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=140:april-is-oral-cancer-awareness-month

Photo Source: 

https://www.northscottsdaledentist.com/blog/get-oral-cancer-check-april-oral-cancer-awareness-month/

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