In the United States, 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Your dentist performs an oral cancer screening at your biannual dental visits to keep an eye out for symptoms so they can administer prompt care. To learn more about this condition, read on for information on the different stages, what you can do to lessen your chances of developing it, and how to treat it.
Stage 0
During this early stage, a group of abnormal cells remains in the same place where they first formed and have yet to spread to other areas of the mouth. They may become cancerous.
Stage 1
This is when a tumor up to two centimeters in size forms. The cancer has yet to spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage 2
At this stage, the tumor is between two and four centimeters. Additionally, cancer cells haven’t spread to the lymph nodes yet.
Stage 3
The tumor is larger than 4 centimeters. In addition, the cancer has yet to spread to the lymph nodes. The tumor could also be any size with the cancer having spread to one lymph node in the neck.
Stage 4
During this stage, the tumor can be any size. Additionally, the cancer cells have begun to spread to the jaw, other parts of the oral cavity, or other areas of the body. The ways this stage can present itself include:
- One lymph node bigger than three centimeters that’s on the same side of the neck as the tumor
- One lymph node that can be any size and is on the opposite side of the neck as the tumor
- Several lymph nodes of any size that are on the same side of the neck as the tumor
4 Methods of Oral Cancer Prevention
Though there are no proven ways to prevent oral cancer, methods to reduce your risk include:
- Speak with your medical professional about getting the nutrients and calories you need
- Cut out bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun
- Visit your dentist for biannual appointments
4 Types of Oral Cancer Treatment
The above four methods may help lessen your risk of developing oral cancer, but what if you develop it anyway? Some potential treatment options include:
- Surgery – This includes the surgical removal of tumors and cancerous lymph nodes in the early stages of oral cancer.
- Chemotherapy – Also called chemo, a drug is administered orally or through an IV to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy – Drugs bind to specific proteins on cancer cells to prevent them from growing any more.
- Radiation therapy – A radiation beam will be aimed at tumors one or two times per day five days each week. This will last anywhere from two to eight weeks.
Knowing more about what signs to look out for can go a long way in preventing cancer. If it’s been more than six months since you saw your dentist, be sure to set up an appointment for a checkup, cleaning, and oral cancer screening to keep your smile healthy!
About the Practice
Dr. Mario Denicola and Dr. Monisha Khanna lead a team of exceptional oral health professionals at Harrisonburg Family and Cosmetic Dentistry with compassion that shows in how they care for their patients. They administer a range of services, including oral cancer screenings to help prevent or treat the condition. If you want more information on their services or to make an appointment with Harrisonburg Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, call (540) 432-6616 or visit their website.