ORAL CANCER

Because the mouth is a region where changes can be easily seen, oral cancer can be detected in the early stages. Performing a self-examination regularly will help in early recognition.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that everyone do an oral cancer self-exam once a month. If you are at a high risk for oral cancer-smoker, consumer of alcohol, user of smokeless tobacco-you should also see your oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an exam yearly.

The things to look for when performing an oral cancer self- examination are:

• reddish patches - erythroplakia
• whitish patches - leukoplakia
• a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
• a lump or thickening of the tissues
• chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• difficulty in chewing or swallow

EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT MEAN A BETTER CHANCE OF CURE

If you have any of the aforementioned signs, see your oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Should the oral and maxillofacial surgeon agree that something looks suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended. This is a procedure that involves the removal of a piece of the suspicious tissue. The piece is then sent to a oralpathology laboratory for microscopic examination in order to make an accurate diagnosis of the problem.

The biopsy report not only helps in establishing a diagnosis, but also enables the doctor to make a treatment plan specifically designed for the type of lesion diagnosed

Portions of the above information provided as a courtesy by:

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701
847/678-6200 Fax: 847/678-6286
Website: www.aaoms.org

CDx Labratories, Inc.
Two Executive Boulevard
Sufferin, New York 10901-4164