Oral Cancer Exam

Get A Oral Cancer Exam Today!

According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 7,000 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The good news is that oral cancer can easily be diagnosed with an annual oral cancer exam, and effectively treated when caught in its earliest stages.

There are many different places in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region in which oral cancers commonly occur, including:

Lips
Mouth
Tongue
Salivary Glands
Oropharyngeal Region (throat)
Gums
Face

ORAL CANCER EXAMS

The test for oral cancer does not hurt in any way. During the visual part of the exam, the dentist will look for anything out of the ordinary and feel the face, glands, and neck for bumps that don't feel right. Lasers that can show pathologic changes are another great way to check for oral cancer. The laser can "look" below the skin's surface for abnormalities and sores that can't be seen with the naked eye.

If the dentist sees any abnormalities, lesions, leukoplakia, or lumps, he or she will take a diagnostic impression and make a treatment plan. If the first treatment plan doesn't work, a tissue sample will be taken from the area. The clinical evaluation part of the biopsy will find out the exact stage and grade of the oral lesion.

When the basement membrane of the epithelium is broken, this is a sign of oral cancer. Malignant types of cancer can easily spread to other parts of the oral and maxillofacial areas, which poses additional risks. Depending on the exact diagnosis, there are different ways to treat cancer, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

During checkups every six months, the dentist and hygienist will carefully look for changes and sores in the mouth. However, at least once a year, a comprehensive oral cancer screening should be done.