How to Identify Early Signs of Oral Cancer and Get Diagnosed
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer, by definition, is cancer of your oral environment. Inside your mouth, the back of your throat, and going down your throat, that's all considered oral cancer.
Cancer is just abnormal cells that start proliferating, growing rapidly. These abnormal cells, growing so fast, will start affecting the tissues next to them.
There's no single cause for cancer, but there are some known factors that can lead to it, such as excessive drinking, tobacco use, excessive sun exposure, and a few other systemic issues that can cause cancer.
What are the early signs of oral cancer that patients should watch out for to let us know?
This is a loaded question. Unfortunately, oral cancer, especially as it's starting, can manifest very normally in your mouth without many issues or concerns, to the point where you may not even know it. Typically, we tell patients that any issue in your mouth, throat, or neck lasting longer than two weeks should prompt you to give us a call so we can check it out.
What are the most common symptoms of oral cancer?
As you probably know, many people with cancer had no idea about it until they visited their doctor and suddenly discovered it. It's the same with oral cancer. Sometimes oral cancer can occur without any symptoms.
However, if you experience persistent symptoms or issues like difficulty chewing, swallowing, pain, or discomfort lasting more than two weeks, it's a good sign to have us take a look at it.
What does oral cancer typically look like in its early stages?
There are multiple types of cancers that can manifest in different ways. Common signs include white lesions, red lesions, a mixture of red and white lesions, hard bumps, or any other persistent issue in your mouth.
One good way to keep an eye on something that should be watched is anything different in your mouth lasting longer than two weeks. Just like the rest of your body, you can experience aches, pains, and issues. As long as they resolve within a week or two, it's just part of being alive and using your body.
Are there specific areas in your mouth that oral cancer is likely to appear?
Oral cancer can affect any part of your mouth and throat. It can arise anywhere inside, but normally we watch the base, the bottom of your tongue, the inside of your lower lip, the hard tissues along the bottom of your teeth, and always the back of your throat. That's why we ask you to say, "Ah."
Can a lump on the gums or inside your mouth be a sign of oral cancer?
Definitely, it can be. Lumps can result from multiple things. More often than not, a lump you notice is a sign of an infection or something else, not cancer. But a persistent lump or bump lasting more than two weeks should be examined. We always recommend visiting the office to have it checked.
What is the connection between HPV and oral cancer?
Over the last couple of decades, there's been a strong correlation between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancers developing in the mouth. We're not 100% sure of the direct link, but having HPV greatly increases the likelihood of having oral cancer, more so in men than women. Studies show that men are four times more likely to develop HPV-related cancers than women.
How is oral cancer diagnosed during a dental visit?
There are multiple ways. First, both I and the hygienist, whoever sees you, always do a quick intraoral evaluation, examining all your soft tissues, the back of your throat, and the hard tissues inside your mouth. We visually inspect all areas of your mouth, looking for differences to ensure there's no cancer.
In people more susceptible or with previous cancers, there are specific diagnostic tools we can use to help diagnose if there's cancer in your mouth. They can be as simple as swishing with a solution and using a light to inspect your mouth for anything cancerous.
What does an oral cancer screening involve?
Oral cancer screenings involve visual inspection and palpating with our fingers throughout your mouth. If we're concerned or if you're more susceptible to cancer, we have specific devices to use. This normally involves swishing with a liquid and using a specific light to see if anything cancerous shows up.
What are the current treatment options for oral cancer?
Treatment options for oral cancer are similar to cancer elsewhere in your body. They can include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of all three.
How important is early detection for the prognosis and outcome of cancer inside your mouth?
Extremely important. As with all issues, not just cancer, the quicker we can find it, get on top of it, and take care of it, the less likely it is to lead to more issues. With cancer throughout the body, the quicker we can find it, catch it, and make a plan to address it, the better your prognosis is.
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (720) 797-5554 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!