According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, and more than 7,000 result in death. The good news: an annual oral cancer exam can catch it, and it can be treated effectively in its earliest stages.
Oral cancer often begins without obvious symptoms, which is why the exam your dentist performs is so important. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which usually starts in the tissues of the lips and mouth. Oral cancer can appear in the:
- Lips
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Salivary glands
- Throat (oropharyngeal region)
- Gums
- Face
Why exams matter
About 75% of oral cancers are linked to habits you can change, such as smoking, tobacco use and heavy drinking. We’re happy to share information on lifestyle changes and quitting smoking.
Treatment works best when cancer is found early, so have any unusual changes in your tongue, gums, mouth or nearby areas checked as soon as possible.
What we look for
- Red patches and sores: red patches on the floor of the mouth or the front and sides of the tongue, white or pink patches that don’t heal, and slow-healing sores that bleed easily.
- Leukoplakia: a hardened, slightly raised white or gray patch anywhere in the mouth. It can be cancerous or become cancerous without treatment.
- Lumps: soreness, lumps or thickening of tissue anywhere in the mouth or throat.
The exam, diagnosis and treatment
The exam is completely painless. Your dentist looks for anything unusual and feels your face, glands and neck for bumps. Special lights that highlight abnormal tissue can also help, because they reveal lesions the naked eye can’t see.
If we find something, we’ll make a diagnosis and treatment plan. If the first treatment doesn’t work, a biopsy will identify the exact stage and grade of the lesion. Treatment depends on the diagnosis and may include removal, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
We look for changes at every checkup, but a dedicated, comprehensive oral cancer screening should be done at least once a year.