Oral Cancer Screenings
Dentist McHenry, IL
 Approximately 53,000 adults are expected to be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. About 10,750 of these cases will be fatal. Early detection is critically important for getting treatment started before the cancer progresses too far. We offer oral cancer screening as part of our routine exams at McHenry Smile Center so that we can protect our patients. Should we find any concerns during the exam, we will recommend the proper follow-up testing for you.
Visual Exam
The visual exam includes all areas of the face, oral cavity, and neck. Oral cancer can affect any of these areas, so we need to check thoroughly for any symptoms. Visible symptoms include sores in the mouth, white patches, lumps, loose teeth, and bleeding. You should also let our dentist know if you have experienced other oral cancer symptoms, such as pain, numbness, voice and speech changes, difficulty eating or speaking, chronic bad breath, weight loss or loss of appetite, and fatigue.
During the visual exam, our dentist will look in your mouth and feel your neck for symptoms. They will also review your dental and medical history to determine if there are any genetic risks or previous concerns.
Diagnostic Imaging
There are several different types of diagnostic imaging tests that are used to diagnose oral cancer. Depending on the type of test, we may refer you to a specialist. Diagnostic imaging tests include x-rays, barium swallows, CT/CAT scans, MRI’s, ultrasounds, and PET/PET-CT scans. X-rays can be provided with or without the barium swallow. Without the barium swallow, x-rays show a basic image of your oral structure. Barium may be used to show how liquid passes through your system. CT/CAT scans use x-rays to display a 3D image which shows tumors or other abnormalities. MRI’s are similar, but they use magnetic fields rather than x-rays to show the picture. Ultrasounds use soundwaves to create the image. PET/PET-CT scans use a swallowed radioactive sugar which shows up in images using a scanner. These scans show organs and soft tissues.
Other Tests
In addition to initial screening and diagnostic imaging, there are a few other tests that we can recommend to you. These include endoscopy and biopsy. Endoscopy is the use of a tube with a light and small camera attached to see inside your body. This is a surgical procedure that is performed under general anesthetic. Therefore, you will be asleep the entire time and feel no discomfort.
A biopsy can be performed in two different ways; tissue removal and oral brush. Tissue removal is accomplished using a thin needle, which is inserted into the tumor or suspicious growth, to collect any cancerous cells. Oral brushing uses a small brush to gently scrape the growth in order to collect the cells. These cells are then sent to a lab to be observed under a microscope. This is the only procedure that can provide a definitive diagnosis. A local anesthetic is used as needed for these procedures. So, you will be awake during the procedure, but you will be numb. For additional information on oral cancer screening, call (815) 578-1000 now. |
