Oral Cancer

There will be over 34,000 new cases of oral cancer this year, and 8,000 people will die from this disease.

Survival correlates with the stage of the disease, so early diagnosis and treatment is imperative! Unfortunately, the majority of these cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. Due to late diagnosis, 5 year survival rates are about 50%, and those that do survive often endure major functional, cosmetic, and psychological burden due to speaking, eating, and possible breathing difficulties.

In recent years, there has been an increased incidence of young, non-smoking oral cancer patients. The cause is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. This is the same virus that causes more than 90% of all cervical cancers.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors
  • Tobacco use (cigarettes and “smokeless”)
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Prolonged exposure to UV radiation (sunlight)
  • Diet low in fruits and vegetables
Possible signs and symptoms
  • A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks (may look like a canker sore but does not heal)
  • A lump or thickening in the cheek
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
  • A sore throat or hoarseness that lasts a long time
  • Pain or difficulty swallowing, speaking, chewing
  • Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
  • Feeling that something is caught in the throat
  • Lump / mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck
  • Any wart-like masses
  • Numbness in the oral / facial region including tongue
  • Unilateral persistent earache
  • Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

There are many things that can resemble oral cancer and some of them may be completely painless, so it is very important to have a thorough oral examination by a professional!

Our goal is to detect these cancers at an early, curable stage. We want to discover these as soon as possible, before the cancer has had a chance to spread further. We will do a thorough oral cancer examination at the time of your initial visit with us, and repeat the exam every 6 months.