Oral Cancer
Oral cancer kills 8,400 people per year in
the United States, more than skin cancer and
cervical cancer. Each year 28,000 new cases
are diagnosed. Oral cancer occurs more often
in people who use tobacco in any form such
as: cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes, and
cigars. It occurs more frequently in people
who consume large quantities of alcohol
especially liquor. It can occur in all ages,
races, and lifestyles. Over 25% of oral
cancers occur in people who do not smoke and
only drink alcohol socially.
The overall survival rate of oral cancer is
52%. This survival rate has not improved in
50 years. Almost every other cancer has had
significant improvements in survival rates.
Early detection plays a much greater role in
these improvements rather than advances in
treatment The following yearly tests have
greatly improved the survival rates of the
following cancers: the mammogram for breast
cancer, the PSA for prostate cancer, the PAP
smear for cervical cancer and the colonosopy
for colon cancer.
When a dentist diagnoses cancer, the patient
is on average 64 years old and the cancer is
in Stage III. If the cancer was diagnosed in
Stage I, the 5-year survival rate is
increased to 79%.
There are several factors that make early
detection difficult. The lesions can take on
many different forms. It may be small, flat,
a red or white patch, a growth, a lump, a
thickening, a rough spot, crusted, or an
irritated area. They are often painless.
Many lesions are in areas of the mouth that
are difficult to see, requiring examination
by a dentist or dental hygienists. Until
recently, suspicious lesions required a
surgical biopsy for diagnosis. The logistics
involved and the nature of the procedure
caused the patient as well as the dentist to
delay the procedure.
Fortunately, Delmarva Dental Services uses a
new test that is similar to a PAP smear. It
is simple to perform. We just brush the
surface of the suspected area several times
and send the specimen to the laboratory. The
lab sends the results in a few days. Areas
that test positive can be surgically
biopsied or totally removed. Areas that test
normal have avoided the more complicated
surgical biopsy and the patient can feel
reassured. The simplicity of the new test
should allow oral cancer survival rates to
improve provided people come to the dentist
for their checkups. This includes denture
patients as well because it’s not just about
teeth, but your life.
