Oral cancer is a prevailing benign or malignant condition affecting the head and neck region, owing to genetic predisposition, autoimmune, several unhealthy habits, and the presence of infections. It can affect several areas of your oral cavity such as the tongue, cheeks, palate, or throat. Early detection is crucial to help curb the disease and improve your quality of life.
Oral cancer screening offered by the San Jose CA dentist, and their team of expert surgeons can detect cancer at an early stage when the disease is most curable.
What is oral cancer?
Cancer is a medical term characterized by the abnormal multiplication and growth of cells that mutate to form lumps or swellings in different parts of your body. Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is a common form of head and neck cancer.
Oral cancer can develop in the following parts of your oral cavity:
- Lips
- The floor of your mouth
- Palate (roof of the mouth)
- Gums
- Tongue
- Salivary glands
- Oropharynx (throat)
- Face
- Cheek lining
Why is oral cancer screening important?
The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or any precancerous lesions (overgrowths that may lead to cancer or malignancy) at an early stage. This is because cancer at the initial stage is easiest to treat and most likely cured. Cancer when progressed to a later stage is difficult to treat due to poor prognosis.
What are the warning signs of oral cancer?
Oral examination reveals the following warning signs:
- Red patches on the floor of your mouth that fail to heal.
- Slow-healing sores that bleed easily
- Hardened white or gray, raised lesions inside your mouth (leukoplakia)
- Presence of sore lumps or thickenings in your mouth or throat
- Inability to open your mouth completely
- Loss of taste
- Burning sensation in the mouth
What are the tests involved in oral cancer screening?
Your dentist may use a combination of oral cancer exam methods that include the following:
Screening tests
- Medical and family history records
- Clinical examination of the oral cavity
- Palpation test to check for lumps or bumps
- Laboratory tests like blood and urine analysis
- Imaging tests, including X-rays, MRI, and CT scan
Specific tests
- Fluorescent light test
- Exfoliative cytology
Final word
Regular annual oral cancer screening is important since it aids in early detection. This helps your dentist design an appropriate treatment plan for you based on your disease prognosis.