Oropharyngeal or Oral Cancer

Hilary Deiter, RDH

Oropharyngeal or Oral Cancer - by Hilary Deiter, RDH

Hilary is a Hygienist and Periodontal Therapist at The Oaks Dental Center, Ltd.

Did you know that someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer every hour of every day? Oral cancer mortality rates and the incidence of oral caners have remained relatively unchanged for decades. Today, if you are diagnosed with late-stage oral cancer – which is when most oral cancer is discovered – and treated appropriately, you have about a 55%-60% chance of living for five years.

Oral cancer lesions show classic signs that can be easily recognized during a properly performed oral exam and hygiene visit. Typically, oral cancer presents  as firm, indurated lesions that exhibit shape irregularity and lack of mucosal mobility. They often show variation of color and they may present as slowly healing or nonhealing ulcerations. The lesions usually progressively increase in size if left untreated.

70% of red lesions will become caner within five years.

25% of white lesions will become cancer within five years.

Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include:

• Smoking Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
• Smokeless tobacco users. Users of dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco products are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lining of the lips.
•  Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more common in drinkers than in nondrinkers.
• Family history of cancer.
• Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.

Your regular visit to a dentist can detect early signs of oral cancer as your hygiene visits include screening for oral cancer.