Annual Oral Cancer Exams Are Recommended

Annual Oral Cancer Exams are Recommended

The American Cancer society suggests that over 30,000 people annually fall victim to oral cancer. One stunning statistic - over 7,000 of these cases result in death. It is not an issue to be taken lightly. AZ Valley Dental may be able to diagnose your oral cancel symptoms early if you have an oral cancer exam performed annually. Treatment in our office is usually effective and successful if caught in the early stages.

The beginning of Oral cancer is usually asymptomatic, which means signs of oral cancer may not be noticeable to the naked eye. For this reason, having your dentist perform an oral cancer exam on a yearly basis is vital.

Oral cancers can be of the Histologic variation, or include such types as Adenocarcinoma, Teratoma, or Melanoma. The malignant Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer found. You will notice this type of oral cancer type usually originates in the mouth and lip tissues. There can be various places inside or outside your mouth where oral cancers can occur, including:

• Mouth
• Tongue
• Lips
• Face
• Gums
• Throat
• Salivary Glands

Why have an Oral Cancer Exam

Lifestyle choices can impact the likelihood of being diagnosed with oral cancer. Approximately 70% percent or more of oral cancers are connected to choices such as using tobacco and abusing alcohol consumption. Ask Dr. Eifler or our staff for more information regarding this issue and about making certain lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of oral cancer.

It has been found that when oral cancer is diagnosed in early stages the treatment for this disease is often very effective. If you notice changes with your mouth, including tongue and gums, or the area surrounding your mouth, you should immediately schedule an appointment with Dr. Eifler or your personal dentist or health office. As part of your oral cancer exam be sure your dentist or hygienist investigate the maxillofacial and oral areas in question to carefully detect signs of pathologic changes.

Potential signs of oral cancer:

• Sores or red patches – sores that heal slowly or not at all can be an indication of oral cancer
• Leukoplakia – a slightly raised legion, usually a hardened white or gray color, appearing anywhere inside the mouth. This type of condition can be cancerous and needs your immediate attention.
• Oral lumps – any lumps or thickening of the tissue inside your mouth can be an indication of potential problems.

Oral Cancer - Diagnosing and Treatment

Our goal at AZ Valley Dental is to make your oral cancer examination a pain-free process. During the doctor’s visual part of the examination, Dr. Eifler will inspect your glands, neck and face for potential abnormalities.

There is not one simple test that can be utilized in the detection of oral cancer but generally an abnormal appearance in the oral tissues. This can only be detected by a visual inspection of the mouth.

If Dr. Eifler finds any abnormalities that are present he can implement a diagnostic impression of the troubled area and formulate a more specific treatment plan. In some cases an initial treatment may be ineffective. Then a biopsy of the area can be performed. This biopsy may include a more in depth clinical evaluation that can help identify the exact stage and “grade” of the oral lesion.

In strict dental terms, oral cancer is considered present when the basement membrane of the epithelium has been broken. More aggressive cancer types, such as a malignant cancer, can often quickly readily spread to other places inside your mouth or body. If this occurs, it may be that a doctor recommends other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation or excision.

Dr. Eifler will look for changes and lesions in the mouth during bi-annual checkups, but a specific comprehensive oral cancer screening and test should be performed at least once each year by Dr. Eilfer or another dental professional.

Contact Dr. George Eifler to schedule your Oral Cancel Exam appointment.