An early diagnosis of mouth cancer is quick and easy – just see a doctor and open your mouth.
The mouth and lips cancer is diagnosed in Israel in hundreds of patients each year, though thousands are in the risk group. A diagnosis in an early stage is a key factor for the treatment's success and healing chances.
Unlike other organs, where suspicion or tests involve complex or invasive treatment, the initial and most important mouth cancer test is a simple clinical test, in which the doctor examines the mouth and lips and identifies suspicious afflictions.
There's a variety of afflictions that are potentially cancerous. The common ones are white afflictions (leukoplakia), some in a pre-cancerous transformation, red afflictions (eritroplakia), which their diagnosis is not clear, and a sore which does not heal in two weeks – require checking.
The pre-cancerous or cancerous process usually does not afflict pain, and may develop in hidden areas, which will not be observed in a self examination. Therefore, do not rely on self exam or lack of pain.
There might be different afflictions in the mouth and on the lips. Most of them are amnions, which appear due to medical reaction or infection, and are not a reason for concern. An expert should know the difference between the afflictions. If there's a reason for concern, biopsy will be recommended.
The biopsy's diagnosis can be either a normal tissue, a tissue with cancerous potential or cancer which calls for treatment.
If the patient or the doctor notices any changes in afflictions, which can become cancerous in the future, or if the patient had suffered from mouth cancer in the past, there is a need for a follow up, when the change of the clinical appearance might be the first sign for cancer.
Research shows that there is no connection necessarily between the severity of the pre-cancerous findings, their location or size and the chances for future cancer. A frequent visit to the doctor is still the most important measure in pre-cancer or risk group follow up.
In order to improve the follow up, the Clinic for Oral Mucosal Lesions offers a service, which allows documentation of the afflictions' images in an electronic chart. This way, we can notice the changes in the tissue between visits. This service is a unique addition to the standard tests of the follow up.
A test for early diagnosis of cancer or pre-cancer is recommended mostly for people over the age of 40, who smoke, consume alcohol and had suffered from cancer in the past.
It's very important to go for follow ups once changes occur in the lips. Lip cancer is the most common of mouth cancers, and in Israel the sun radiation is strong throughout the year. Early changes of the cancer can be identified, and they require tests and follow up. Those who have light skin, exposed to the sun or experience color changes in the lip, are in the risk group, and they should be tested.
Dr. Rakefet Czerninski, DMD.
Director, Clinic for Oral Mucosal Lesions, Department of Oral Medicine, Hebrew University Hadassah, School of Dental Medicine.