Biopsy

DETECTING ORAL CANCER

About two percent of cancers diagnosed annually in the United States are oral cancers.
Each year, approximately 40,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer and about 7,800 die of the disease.

Research indicates that sixty percent of those diagnosed with oral cancer will survive Human Papilloma Virus.

As with most cancers, treatment is more successful and survivability significantly greater when oral cancer is detected early.

Early detection, defined as when the cancer is still localized to the mouth, generally produces a 5-year survival rate of about 83 percent. After an oral cancer has metastasized, or traveled outside the mouth, the 5-year survival rate drops to about 36 percent.

Early detection of oral cancer is often possible.
The key is regularly-scheduled oral exams.

During your visit to Rider Oral Surgery, Dr Rider and her staff look and feel for changes to tissue in the mouth that might indicate the early stages of cancer.

WARNING SIGNS

What warnings may indicate early stages of oral cancer?
  • Two lesions types that may indicate oral cancer:
  • Leukoplakia (white) – More common – less likely to become cancerous.
  • Erythroplakia (red) – Less common – more likely to become cancerous.

A lump or thickening in the soft tissues of the mouth, including in & under the tongue, the inside tissue of the cheeks, gums, lips & the roof & back of the mouth.

A persistent sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat

Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue

Persistent hoarseness or numbness of the tongue or areas of the mouth

If you experience any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you need a thorough oral surgical examination to determine what is causing the symptom(s). Contact Rider Oral Surgery, explain what you’re observing, and book an appointment. Dr Rider and her staff will evaluate the condition and determine if a biopsy and/or other laboratory test is needed to diagnose it. During your consultation you will have a 3D image to check the bone structure.

CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK OF ORAL CANCER?
… In a word, yes!

The following are known risk factors for oral cancer:

  •  
  •   Tobacco use (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco and possibly e-cigarettes)
  •  
  •   Use of alcohol
  •  
  •   The risk is even greater for people who use both tobacco and alcohol than for those who use only one.
  •  
  •   HPV (human papillomavirus) infection
  •  
  •   Risk increases with age. Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40.
  •  
  •   Cancer of the lip may be caused by sun exposure.
  •  
  •   A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in the development of oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Oral Cancer Self-exam
Oral Cancer and HPV Vaccine
Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Are you at risk for oral cancer? Learn the facts.
Are you at risk for oral cancer? Learn to perform a self-exam
Head, Neck and Oral Cancer

WHAT YOU CAN DO?

While there’s little we can do to prevent aging, there are numerous
changes we can make to our behavior to decrease our risk of developing oral cancer.
Here are a few:

Stop smoking.

Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.

Apply sunscreen to your lips to prevent damage by harmful UV rays.

Schedule regular dental check-ups.

This is the best way to detect any abnormal conditions that might become cancerous.
Again, early detection is the key to increasing your chances of long-term survival!

Follow up

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should:
CONTACT Rider Oral Surgery immediately to schedule an examination.
DISCUSS with Dr. Rider your history of tobacco and alcohol so we better understand your risk factors.
Dr. Rider will determine if a biopsy or other lab test is necessary to lead to a definitive diagnosis.
Dr. Rider will discuss your treatment plan with you and work closely with you to obtain successful results.

Last words on the subject

Rider Oral Surgery is dedicated to ensuring that your visit is a pain-free experience
and that you’re well-informed about the procedure and required after-care.

Contact us today for an appointment!

(517) 783-3130