The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer. The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathologic process or cancerous growth:
- Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth.
- A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology and, curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer. We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly and remember that your mouth is one of your body's most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we may help.
Our office provides Oral Cancer Screenings at every maintenance appointment. We are concerned about your overall health and do everything within our power to help you continue to be healthy. If anything is found during our Intraoral and Extraoral Tissue Exam, Dr. Vanooteghem will evaluate it and determine the best next step.
We are equipped to do two different kinds of biopsies, if necessary, to determine the nature of a lesion or sore. Brush biopsy – a painless procedutre, done in the office which can test common, harmless-looking, unexplained red and white spots. Incisional biopsy – a more traditional removal of cells and tissue to be sent to a lab for inspection.
For more information about Oral Cancer, visit the Oral Cancer Foundation Website.