Oral cancer is a very serious condition that often goes undiagnosed during the early stages of the disease. Many people that have oral cancer are often diagnosed at the later Stage 3 or Stage 4 stages. At these stages, the treatment of the cancer is often extensive, and the 5-year survival rates are not very high. Early detection of oral cancers is important for overall health and treatment of the cancer. Detecting oral cancer in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 phase dramatically improves the chances of survival.
Using a tool called a VELscope, our doctors will examine your mouth at your new patient exam for any early signs of tissue changes that could be because of oral cancer. If the doctors find something, they will make a referral to a specialist known as an oral pathologist to further examine the finding and take a biopsy as required. While sometimes the findings are benign and harmless, it is important to examine and detect these lesions early as malignant lesions can often grow and spread rapidly. Ask your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer or wish to know more about cancerous lesions.
