Have you recently been diagnosed with oral cancer in Boynton Beach? It’s a complicated and potentially life-endangering condition involving the growth of malignant cells within the parts of the oropharynx or mouth! Therefore, knowing the different types of oral cancer and what to expect if you have been diagnosed with it is vital for early detection and treatment. Boynton Beach emergency dentist provides oral cancer screening services to look for the signs of cancer in your mouth. They will inspect the lining of your cheeks, lips, gums, tongue, floor, and mouth roof to look for anomalies and lesions. If they discover anything dubious, they will refer you to an oncologist for additional experiments.
Oral Cancer Screening: Overview
It’s an experiment to discover signs of cancer in your mouth. Some of the common types of oral cancers include jaw cancer, mouth cancer, and tongue cancer. The areas inspected during an oral cancer screening are the following:
– Gums
– Tonsils
– Cheek lining
– Salivary gland cancer
– Lips
– Oropharyngeal cancer
– The floor and roof of your mouth
What Are The Oral Cancer Screening Methods?
During dental checkups, a healthy professional might use different methods to search for any anomalies in the oral cavity that might show cancer. Oral cancer screening methods are the following:
– Physical tests – Hygienists, dentists, or dental professionals will inspect the throat and mouth. They might search for anything unusual in the growth of cells, such as patches or lumps.
– Medical history – Reviewing an individual’s health conditions, previous medical histories, and treatments is vital. Those who smoke or drink alcohol might have a higher risk of acquiring oral cancer.
– Imaging tests – These consist of the processes that capture images of the inside of the body, such as PET scans, MRI scans, dental X-rays, and CT scans.
– Laboratory tests – If the dental professional detects an anomaly, they might send a blood tissue sample or other substances to a lab for assessment.
Some other vital processes that a medical professional might conduct to screen for oral cancer are the following:
– Fluorescent Light Test
Your dentist might conduct this test to spot early signs of oral cancer. When a particular light passes into the mouth, it will glow differently from regular tissue if it strikes abnormal tissue. This enables the medical practitioner to find any tissue that might suggest malignancy. A recently manufactured device named a VELscope uses fluorescent light, which allows your dentist to spot any modifications in cellular structure that might be cancer.
– Toluidine Blue Dye Test
This test can be performed by your dentist at a daily checkup for those with a higher risk of developing oral cancer, for example, people who smoke. They use a dye named toluidine blue to coat your mouth’s interior.
Treatment of Oral Cancer
Once you’re diagnosed with oral cancer, your dentist or medical professional commences your treatment. The treatment methods are shown below:
– Radiation therapy – It uses X-rays to annihilate cancer cells. A dentist might suggest using it post-surgery. In some instances, an individual might obtain radiation therapy with another treatment, for example, chemotherapy.
– Surgery – This is another option for curing oral cancer. A dentist might recommend different operation types based on the cancer stage and the cancer’s location. They might extract the tumor, and if it progresses further, doctors might have to eliminate all or a few parts of specific organs, such as the tongue.
Conclusion
Dentists or healthcare professionals might detect anomalies or precancerous cells during periodic dental checkups. Some experiments that might be used to screen for oral cancer include a toluidine blue dye test or a fluorescent light test.