Hello, my name is Dr. Harbpinder Shevchenko from Smiles by the Sea Family Dentistry in Hampton, New Hampshire. I'm here to answer some questions about oral cancer.
What is oral cancer?
One question that I often get asked is, what is oral cancer? As the name describes, it's a cancer that develops in the oral cavity, which includes the inside of your cheeks. It could be on the tongue, the roof of the mouth, underneath the tongue, on the sides of the tongue, or even inside the lips.
What causes oral cancer?
Another question I get asked is, what causes oral cancer? Like any other cancer, it involves genes in the body that turn abnormal and start multiplying uncontrollably. This results from mutation, where cells multiply abnormally, leading to oral cancer. Some causes of oral cancer include genetics, which plays a big role. If someone has a genetic predisposition to certain types of cancers, that can lead to oral cancer. Sometimes, cancer from other parts of the body may spread to the oral cavity. Smoking plays a significant role too, as long-term smoking can lead to oral cancer. Additionally, using tobacco and tobacco products, such as tobacco patches or cigars, over the years, can also lead to oral cancer.
What are the early signs of oral cancers that a patient should look out for?
Another question I often get asked is, what are the early signs of oral cancer that someone should look out for? Some early signs can be very silent, but they may include redness or patches in certain parts of the mouth. If you notice inflammation that is not going away, or it could be a dry, white patch. These are some early indicators that you can see in your mouth, even on your lips, cheek mucosa, tongue, or any small elevated spots, which could appear as a bubble, red patch, or white patch.
What are the most common symptoms of oral cancer?
Another question I get asked is, what are the common symptoms of oral cancer? Many times, oral cancer could be very silent and gets diagnosed during a routine exam. During a dental visit, your dentist might see signs like patches or inflammation that are not resolving, which you may not have noticed. Other symptoms could include a burning sensation, tingling sensation, or recurring ulcers in the mouth that are not healing. Sometimes, cancer can present as vague, discrete, or shooting pain, but often it manifests as inflammation, patching, or ulcers in the mouth.
Can a lump on the gum be a sign of oral cancer?
Another question I get asked is, can a lump on the gum be a sign of oral cancer? Yes, it can be, as there are many types of oral cancers, and cancers from other parts of the body can present themselves in the oral cavity. Do not ignore any lump or bump on your gums or any swelling. Make sure you get it checked out as soon as possible by your dentist.
What is the connection between the human papilloma virus and oral cancer?
Another question I get asked is, what is the relation between the human papilloma virus and oral cancer? Over the years, we have seen a significant connection between the two. The human papilloma virus can lead to oral cancer or present as oral cancer lesions. Sometimes, when patients have a genetic predisposition to certain kinds of cancers, it can transition into oral cancer as well.
How is oral cancer diagnosed during a dental visit?
Another question I get asked is, how is oral cancer diagnosed during a routine dental visit? During a routine dental checkup, we consistently evaluate the entire oral cavity. We look at the tissue to ensure it appears normal. We examine the cheek mucosa, tongue, underneath the tongue, sides of the tongue, tip of the tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth. If we see any signs of inflammation that are not going away without any other cause, or detect lumps, bumps, or patchiness, we might recommend a biopsy if it looks suspicious. Additionally, some devices use a specific frequency of light to determine if the tissue consists of normal or abnormal cells, which is another way of diagnosing oral cancer.
What are the current treatment options for oral cancer?
Another question I get asked is, what are the common treatment options for oral cancer? There are a couple of treatment options. Once a biopsy is done and the type of cancer is diagnosed, surgery may be performed, depending on the area. The affected tissue might be removed surgically, and the extent of the cancer's distribution will determine the surgical approach. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also be considered.
How important is early detection when it comes to oral cancer outcomes?
Another question I get asked is, how important is early detection of oral cancer for the outcome? Early detection is probably one of the most important factors when discussing oral cancer. Detecting it early means that a smaller area is affected, which can be treated more predictably with the least invasiveness. Early detection leads to the best outcomes because, if not detected early, cancer may multiply into many areas of the mouth or even spread to the neck or other parts of the body. Regular dental visits and oral cancer screenings are essential to ensure early detection.
I hope I was able to answer some of the questions related to oral cancer, diagnosis, treatments, and how early detection plays a role in the outcome of the disease. If you have any other questions, please visit us at our website www.smilesbytheseanh.com/ or call us at (603) 634-9445 to set up an appointment. We will be happy to help you with any questions or checkups.