Oral Cancer

You can get answers from our experienced and expert doctoc’s related to Oral cancer.

Early Detection

When found early, oral cancer patients have an 80 to 90 % survival rate. Unfortunately 40% of those diagnosed with oral cancer will die within five years because the majority of these cases will be discovered as a late stage malignancy. (see stage description in Oral Cancer section)

Oral cancer is particularly dangerous, because the patient may not notice it in its early stages. It can frequently prosper without producing pain or symptoms. As a result, Oral Cancer often goes undetected until it has already metastasized to another location.

Oral Cancer – Who does Oral Cancer Screening?

Dentists, Periodontists, Hygienists

Most oral cancer screenings are done by a Dentist or Hygienist

Periodontists routinely screen for oral cancer on all new patients

A routine “recall” exam usually includes a visual search for lesions and abnormal structures in the oral cavity

It is estimated that 60% of the patients visiting a dentist get screened at least once a year

At Designer Smiles Dentistry, we care for you. We offer free Oral Cancer screening with your cleaning.

How does smoking affect oral cancer?

Tobacco use is the single most important risk factor in getting oral cancer. People who smoke or chew tobacco, dip snuff, or smoke pipes have a much higher chance of getting oral cancer than people who do not use tobacco. The more tobacco is used and the longer it’s used, the higher the risk.

Oral cancer most commonly involves:

the front 2/3 of the tongue
the lining of the cheeks and lips (the buccal mucosa)
the floor of mouth under the tongue
the roof of the mouth (hard palate)
the gums (gingiva)
the small area behind the wisdom teeth (the retromolar trigone)
the minor salivary glands

Stages of Oral Cancer

Stage I. The cancer is no more than 2 centimeters and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area
Stage II. The cancer is more than 2 centimeters but less than 4 centimeters and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area
Stage III. Either of the following may be true – the cancer is more than 4 centimeters; the cancer is any size but has spread to only one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer.
Stage IV. Any of the following may be true – the cancer has spread to tissues around the lip or oral cavity; the lymph nodes in the area may or may not contain cancer; the cancer is any size and has spread to more than one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer, to lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck, or to any lymph node that measures more than 6 centimeters.
Recurrent. The cancer has returned after it has been treated. It may come back in the lip and oral cavity or in another part of the body.