Cancer is an extremely cruel disease that has affected most people in some way during their lifetime. Cancer occurs when abnormal body cells grow uncontrollably.


Usually, they begin in one area of the body where they invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue. However, in many cases, cancer metastasizes. This is where the abnormal cells spread to another area of the body, often making cancer harder to treat. There are countless different types of cancer, and an estimated 54,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Of these 50k, around 57% will survive their cancer for at least 5 years following diagnosis – a statistic that has unfortunately not significantly improved for many years.

Oral cancer doesn’t only affect the soft tissue lining the mouth. It can also affect the tongue, lips, throat, sinuses, the floor of the mouth, and palate. One of the biggest challenges of oral cancer is that in many cases, it isn’t detected until it has already been present for some time. It may even have metastasized to another area of the body, such as the lymph nodes. In a bid to try and improve the speed with which oral cancer is detected, diagnosed, and treated, most dentists now offer oral cancer screening as part of routine oral examinations.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

In an ideal world, oral cancer will be picked up at your regular dental check-ups and not because you are experiencing any symptoms. However, this isn’t always the case and so it can be valuable to know what the signs of oral cancer are so that you can seek the advice of your dentist if you notice them. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:
 

• Sudden changes in your voice, such as pitch change or sudden hoarseness
   

• A lump, bump, or rough spot in your mouth
   

• Unexplained bleeding from the mouth
   

• Red or white patches inside your mouth
   

• A persistent feeling that there is a lump in the back of your throat
   

• A lingering sore throat
   

• Sores in and around the mouth that don’t seem to be healing
   

• Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or chewing
   

• Persistent numbness of the lips and/or tongue
   

• Limited mobility of the mouth, jaw, or tongue
   

• A sudden change in the way that your teeth fit together when you bite down

What is Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer screening is a primarily physical exam, during which your dentist will check for any visual indication of oral abnormalities, such as lumps, discolorations, or sores. Some dentists will also use fluorescent/ultraviolet light to detect the presence of cancer cells within the oral cavity.

If your dentist has any cause for concern, they will refer you to an oncologist for further testing, diagnosis, and treatment.

Can Oral Cancer Be Treated?

As with any other cancer, the outcome for patients with oral cancer is better the earlier the disease is discovered. In the earliest stages, surgery may be successful in removing the abnormal cells, and this may be combined with treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Your exact treatment plan will be individual, based on your personal diagnosis which will include the size and spread of your cancer, your age, and your general health and wellbeing. Your oncologist will be able to give you more specific information based on your personal circumstances.

For more on oral cancer screenings, visit Hawaii Oral Surgery in Aiea and Honolulu, HI. Call (808) 731-2220 to schedule an appointment today.