Oral Cancer
Did you know that each year in the United States alone 36,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with oral cancer (this is not including throat cancers). “The death rate from oral cancer is high; about 43% of those diagnosed will not sure survive more than five years.” The high death rates are related to two factors: being aware (knowing the risks factors, signs and symptoms) and early detection.
West Chester Dental Arts would like to introduce a new tool to the office, The VELscope. The VELscope “is a powerful tool available for assisting in the discovery of oral abnormality.” It is used as an adjunct aide in combination with the traditional visual oral cancer screening. The traditional oral cancer screening procedure only allows for abnormal cells to be visible when present on the surface of the mucosa (lining of the mouth). Due to this, about two-thirds of oral cancer cases are diagnosed in later stages. When oral cancer is found it early stages, there is an increase by about 81% in the survival rate. With early detection, there can be more conservative and less invasive approaches to removing the abnormal cells.
The VELscope allows for abnormal cells in the tissue to be shown below the surface prior to becoming apparent to the clinical eye. There are no dyes, no radiation, no rinses and only takes a few minutes. The VELscope works by emitting a safe blue light into the oral cavity. A blue light is emitted that makes the surfaces below the mucosa (lining of the mouth) naturally glow candy apple green. Any abnormal cells appear as a dark reddish-black color against the candy apple green background. By shinning the light into the patient’s mouth, a dentist/dental hygienist can distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue. This allows your health care provider to better asses you overall oral health.
A small example of the appearance of healthy verse suspicious oral tissue under the VELscope….
 No appearance of lesions |
 Normal green fluorescence pattern |
 Small white patch lesion on the side of the tongue |
 The area becomes dark under the VELscope showing abnormal cells |
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer are ever cured.
Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications-some of them chronic and painful-from their cancer treatment. These include dry mouth and overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay.
If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues, leading to disfigurement and pain.
Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk.
Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums and other soft palate tissues in the mouth.
Warning Signs
In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy areas and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult.
Here are some additional warning signs:
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
- Unusual bleeding or persistent sores in the mouth that won't heal.
- Lumps or growths in other nearby areas, such as the throat or neck.
If a tumor is found, surgery will generally be required to remove it. Some facial disfigurement could also result.
Prevention
Prevention is the key to staving off oral cancer. One of the biggest culprits is tobacco and alcohol use. Certain kinds of foods and even overexposure to the sun have also been linked to oral cancer. Some experts believe certain oral cancer risk factors are also hereditary.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against oral cancer. Maintaining good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups, are highly recommended.
