About Oral Cancer

   One American dies every hour of every day from oral cancer.  Recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for all cancers has decreased:

• the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%
• the mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years.
• the death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, laryngeal, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, thyroid or ovary.
• over 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year.  In five years, only 57% will still be alive.
• 27% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.
• a strain of human papilloma virus (HPV) is suspected as the cause

  Even successful oral cancer treatment can be disfiguring because often portions of the tongue, lips, cheeks and/or bone must be removed.  This effects the quality of life by causing the inability to chew, speak, or even swallow.  Many survivors become recluses because large sections of their lower face have been cut away.

   The reason for these ghastly statistics is that while oral cancer is 90% curable when discovered early, 70% of oral cancers are usually not discovered until the late stages.  Early detection and treatment can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy and quality of life. 

   This is why we are excited to announce that we have added an FDA approved device as an aid to help discover any potential oral cancers early.

VELscope technology as part of a comprehensive oral screening

    This new technology is a special light that is passed over oral tissue.  Normal, healthy tissue and cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue appear different under this light.  Also, an area that appears small on the surface could be revealed to be much larger underneath. A spot can be detected before it is visible to the naked eye.

   We have made this a part of our already extensive comprehensive exam.  It takes only a few minutes and you feel nothing.  In the first months we have used this method we discovered 3 cases of oral cancer.  The patients XXXXX  All of the staff have also been screened.

    For more information about Velscope technology, click here .    

    As the Velscope passes over oral tissue, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark, abnormal tissue will appear white. The purpose of using the Velscope is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage; once abnormal tissue has been identified it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.

Benefits and Expectations

• When oral cancer is found at the earliest stage, treatment is quicker, simpler, less involved, and more then 90% successful!  When oral cancer is diagnosed in late stage, treatment is expensive, disfiguring and has a poor survival rate.
• Velscope helps your dental professional see abnormal tissue that is not visible during a regular exam.
• At the conclusion of a Velscope exam, following a standard visual exam, you can be confident you have received the most comprehensive oral cancer screening available.