Oral Pathology vs. Oral Cancer
The discovery of a cyst or sore during an oral self-exam may be upsetting. If you discover a suspicious lump, sore or lesion, promptly make an appointment for an examination by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Most oral pathologies are not cancerous, but each should be diagnosed by an OMS. Some noncancerous pathologies should be managed by a medical or dental professional as they can become a cancer if left untreated.
OMS Voices Preview: Oral Cancer and the OMS
Oral Pathologies
A pathology is any deviation from a healthy, normal condition. While oral cancer is an oral pathology, not all oral pathologies are cancerous.
Often, pathologies can be discovered by performing a self-exam. Be sure to look for:
- White patches on oral tissue (leukoplakia)
- Red patches on oral tissue (erythroplakia)
- White and red patches on oral tissue (erythroleukoplakia)
- Sores, spots, lesions and ulcers, particularly those that bleed easily and have failed to heal
- Lumps or abnormal thickening of oral tissue
- Masses or lumps in the neck
- Enlarged lymph nodes in either side of the neck
Other symptoms to watch for include chronic sore throat or hoarseness and difficulty swallowing or chewing.
While many of these pathologies can be benign, they also can increase the risk of cancer if untreated. Most leukoplakia patches are noncancerous, for example, but the presence of some types of leukoplakia can increase the risk of oral cancer.
Oral Cancer
There are five major types of head and neck cancer, with oral cancer (including cancers of the lip and inside the mouth) considered a type of head and neck cancer. Each type of cancer is named for the location where it develops:
- Oral and oropharyngeal cancer
- Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
- Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
- Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Salivary gland cancer
While certain oral pathologies can be precursors to cancer, a proper diagnosis requires a biopsy of the tissue. During a biopsy, the area is numbed similar to how the gum around a tooth is numbed for a filling. Then a small piece of tissue is removed and sent to an oral pathologist, a specialist who examines the tissue microscopically for evidence of cancer cells.
OMS Voices Preview: What to Do When You Find a Bump in Your Mouth
Find an OMS Near You
Everyone should make it a routine to perform monthly cancer self-exams. However, those with risk factors for oral, head and neck cancers should be sure to undergo an annual exam by an OMS or dentist. These risk factors include:
- Use of tobacco, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, snuff, chew or smokeless tobacco.
- Alcohol consumption, particularly when consumed with tobacco products.
- The human papillomavirus (HPV).
Early detection and treatment may well be the key to complete recovery.
