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Detecting Oral CancerA guide for health care professionals

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESNATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

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Incidence and Survivalof Oral or Pharyngeal Cancer

• 30,000 new cases diagnosed yearly

• 8,000 deaths each year

• 5 year survival rate: 50%

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Early Detection Saves Lives

• 5-year survival for localized disease is 76%

• 5-year survival for metastatic disease is 19%

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Early Detection is Often Possible

• Tissue changes in the mouth that may signal cancer can often be seen and felt easily

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Warning Signs

• Leukoplakia

• Erythroplakia

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Other Possible Warning Signs

• Lump or thickening of oral soft tissue

• Soreness or “lump” in throat

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

• Ear pain

• Difficulty moving jaw or tongue

• Hoarseness

• Numbness of tongue or mouth

• Swelling of the jaw

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Risk Factors

• Tobacco use

• Alcohol use

• Exposure to sunlight

• Age

• Gender

• Race

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Examination Overview

• Head and neck exam should be a routine part of dental and medical check-ups.

• Take a history of alcohol and tobacco use.

• Follow up on suspicious signs.

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Tools and Time

• Proper lighting

• Dental mouth mirror

• Gauze squares

• Gloves

• 5 minutes

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Extraoral Examination

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Lips

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Labial Mucosa

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Labial Mucosa

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Buccal Mucosa

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Buccal Mucosa

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Gingiva

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Dorsum of the Tongue

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Left Margin of the Tongue

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Right Margin of the Tongue

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Ventral Surface of the Tongue

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Floor of the Mouth

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Hard Palate

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination: Oropharynx

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Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination

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Oral Lesions Suspiciousfor Oral Cancer

• Homogenous leukoplakia

• Leukoplakia with early squamous cell carcinoma

• Nodular leukoplakia with severe epithelial dysplasia

• Erythroleukoplakia with candida infection

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Homogenous Leukoplakia

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Leukoplakia with early squamouscell carcinoma

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Nodular leukoplakia with severeepithelial dysplasia

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Erythroleukoplakia withcandida infection

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In Appreciation

• Slides for this program were graciously provided by Joseph Konzelman, D.D.S. and Jens Jorgen Pindborg, Dr. Odont.

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Detecting Oral Cancer: A Guide for Health Care Professionals was developed by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, one of the federal National Institutes of Health. The program is not copyrighted and may be reproduced. For additional information about oral cancer, contact:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial ResearchNational Oral Health Information Clearinghouse1 NOHIC WayBethesda, MD 20892-3500nohic@nidcr.nih.govwww.nidcr.nih.gov