VELscope & Oral Cancer Screening in Brampton

Anytime dental professionals reference the word Oral Cancer, they are making reference to cancerous growths that can show up in the oral cavity including the cheeks, lips and tongue.

Usually, and similar to most types of cancer, age will likely be the main threat for oral cancer, the majority of patients that are diagnosed tend to be over the age of fifty. Data for oral cancer is extremely alarming, and postponed recognition and diagnosis would be the primary causes of worst-case situations. The majority of oral cancers are still not being caught until Stage III or IV, with more than 50 percent of victims dead in five years. These statistics have not significantly improved for 40 years. In the past three decades, a 60 percent increase in tongue cancer has been detected in people.

At our dental office, we provide extensive oral cancer evaluation as a component of our preventive process of dental health. Assessments are an important part of the cancer screening options, along with no-obligation screenings option open to all people. If we find any questionable growths in the mouth, we request a detailed pathology from our partner pathologist. The complete process is seamless and worry free for our patients.

Like all other cancers, this cancer may also be fatal if not diagnosed early. Effectively, early detection is the key. Clinical dental examinations generally helps in an early diagnosis. One must get examined regularly by a dentist, they are the ONLY ONES who are trained for such examination as there is basically no reason for any other clinician, but a dentist to check the inside of your mouth. Patients who do not get their periodic examination only realize their cancer diagnosis at a much later stage, since they are not even aware if there is any growth or lesion developing in their mouth. I have seen a few of such cases, when the affected patients finally visited me, they unfortunately, they were near the point of no return. Excessive use of PAN and MASALA (Betel leaves/Areca Nut) was the probable cause. This is why most dentist urge their patients to avoid eating them and request them for periodic examination and testing.

Our examination for oral cancer consists of Extraoral and Intraoral parts:

In Extraoral we try to evaluate the face symmetry, swellings of any kind, skin colour, texture, traumatic eruptions, swellings, growths, eyes, Conjuntiva inflammation, eye protruding, nose asymmetry, discharge, Sternocliedomastoid muscles lesions, midline structure of the neck, Parotid Salivary glands, TMJ limitations or deviations of the movement tenderness, sensitivity and noises. We also examine submandibular area, Submental area and thyroid.

Our Intraoral examination constitutes: Examination of Libial and Bucal Mucosa that includes lips, breath odour, Vestibule, Mucobucal folds, Frena, opening of Stenson duct, palpate cheeks, Gingiva and Palatal Mucosa, Tongue shape, colour, size and fissures, papillae coating, floor of the mouth, saliva, Tonsillar area and Oropharynx. It is highly likely, we as dentists may be able to isolate the probable manifestation of cancer cells, but, like anything, we need to be carry this function with a willing patient.

The technology also helps us to make the above examination a little more easy and notional. Advent of VElscope helps to see beyond our usual gaze and artificial magnification for an early detection. With the advancements of dental technology, VELscope has improved and helped evolve the oral cancer screening process. The machine is hand-held, that produces a harmless light which enables the dentist to diligently investigate the mouth.

Please note that the information provided above is for general purpose only. One must seek expert clinical advise from a trained practitioner prior to making any conclusions. Each patient and case is different and relying on a generalized information may be inadequate. Please consult your dentist or call our office for an appointment if you have any questions or concerns.

-Dr. Sonia Sharma

References:
National Center for Statistics: Heart Disease, Center for Disease Control. January 24, 2007. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart.htm Accessed Feb. 27, 2007.
3. Cancer prevention, early detection, and prediction. National Cancer Institute. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/2015/cancer-Prevention-Early-Detection-and-Prediction. Accessed March 9, 2006.
4. Rates of occurrence in the United States. February 2006. The Oral Cancer Foundation Web site. Available at: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/. Accessed April 13, 2005.
5. Head and neck cancer. November 2005. Oncology Channel Web site. Available at: http://www.oncologychannel.com/headneck/index.shtml. Accessed July 26, 2005.
6. What are the risk factors for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer? March 2006. American Cancer Society Web site. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_oral_cavity_and_oropharyngeal_can cer_60.asp?sitearea=CRI. Accessed July 26, 2005.
7. D’Souza G, Kreimer AR, Viscidi R, et al. “Case-control study of human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer.” N Engl J Med. 2007 May 10;356(19):1944-1956. Available at: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/19/1944. Accessed Aug. 20, 2007.

Edit Courtesy: Mishti & Siya Sharma, Students of Dentistry

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