Basic Description:

There are two kinds of oral cancer; oral cavity and oropharyngeal.
Oral cancer starts in the mouth while oropharyngeal cancer develops in the throat just behind the mouth.

Signs:

• A sore that bleeds easily and does not heal.
• Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away.
• A lump or thickening in the cheek.
• White or red patch on the gums, tonsil, tongue or lining of the mouth.
• A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat.
• Difficulties in chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue.

It is important to see a doctor if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Prevention:

If you avoid smoking, tobacco and alcohol you will decrease your risks of cancer.
Even if you have been using these for many years, quitting will lower the risk of developing these cancers. Eating a balanced diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day will provide some protection against oral cancer. Avoiding unprotected sun exposure, pipe and cigar tobacco will help prevent lip cancer.

Detection:

During our conventional oral exam in which we look inside your mouth and throat for any lesions or abnormal tissue changes that may be visible to the naked eye and feeling your neck for any suspicious bumps, we can detect cancer at an early, curable stage. We have incorporated the VELscope as part of our routine in early detection to literally see beneath the surface to detect growths. The VELscope exam takes about two minutes as part of your regular exam and involves no pain or inconvenience. It is completely safe and we think you will find the additional cost to be very reasonable. The exam might be covered by your insurance plan. The earlier it is detected and diagnosed, the more successful treatment is.

Risk Factors and Statistics:

Men are more than twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer because they are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol over long periods of time and in large enough doses. The likelihood of developing oral cancer increases with age, especially after age 35. Half of all oral cancers are diagnosed in people older than age 68.

Smokers and drinkers are six times more likely to develop cancer than nonsmokers and nondrinkers. 90% of patients with oral cancers use tobacco. 75% to 80% of all patients with oral cancer frequently drink alcohol. More than 30% of all patients with lip cancer have outdoor jobs that are associated to prolonged exposure to sunlight.

25% of new cases of oral cancer do not fit the profile described above. The highest growth rate of oral cancer is now showing up in kids as young as age 18. People with none of the risk factors listed above are now being diagnosed with oral cancer. In many cases, two strains of the HPV virus, HPV-16 & HPV-18, are being spread through sexual intercourse and oral sex, with the latter being the main cause. Oral sex, once thought of as “safe sex”, now accounts for 25% of all new cases. A diet low in fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer as well.

Treatment:

To treat oral cancers, radiation therapy and surgery are the main methods. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with these treatments in advanced cancers. There is new research and clinical trials being done using radiation and chemotherapy in new ways to treat oral cancer.

2010 Statistics (Noted from the American Cancer Society)

36,540 new cases have been diagnosed
7,880 deaths from oral cancers
The five-year survival rate for localized stage is 83&
The five-year related survival rate for all stages combined is 61%

For additional and more detailed information regarding oral cancers, you can contact The American Cancer Society from our website:

The American Cancer Society
P.1.800.ACS.2345
www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute
P.1.800.4.CANCER
www.cancer.gov

Oral Cancer Foundation
P.1.949.646.8000
www.oralcancerfoundation.org