Oral pathology treatment means we can diagnose and take on issues related to your soft tissues, conducting screenings for, and discussing solutions to, oral cancer. Our team can offer a diagnosis with precision and help you on the path to treatment. In today’s blog, the team at Cerritos Dental Surgery talks about how we diagnose and treat oral cancer.
The Need for a Routine Screening
You should undergo a routine screening for oral cancer at least once every year once you reach adulthood. The cancer has a high mortality rate, with half of those diagnosed with oral cancer succumbing to it within five years. The main factor behind this high rate of mortality is the fact that the disease is rarely caught in the early stages. But with an examination every year, we have a greater chance of an early diagnosis, which also increases your chances of a full recovery.
Biopsies and Treatment Options
Our team will employ advanced digital imaging to look closely at your soft tissues to assess any areas that could contain cancerous or precancerous cells. If we find a potentially problematic area, we will conduct a biopsy, which involves gently removing tissues to test for cancer. If we discover that you in fact have the disease, then we can discuss possible solutions to protect your overall health!
The treatment process is often multidisciplinary, which means two or more treatment options will be employed as part of the process. This could address cancerous tissues, or aid in prevention should we identify cells in the precancerous stage. Treatment could include radiation and chemotherapy, removing tumors and tissues, and reconstructive treatments as well. The treatment or treatments we recommend will depend on multiple factors, and we always take a personalized approach to care for our patients.
Preventive Actions
You can also take actions to help lower your overall risk of oral cancer. For example, you can limit alcohol consumption, use protection when outside to safeguard you against UV light exposure, and also avoid tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, and vaping. These actions can help lower your risk, but people without these risk factors can also develop the disease, so the need for a routine screening every year is still paramount.
If you have any questions about oral pathology, or about how we screen for and treat oral cancer, then please reach out to our team today. We can conduct a screening and biopsy as needed, and start you on the path to recovery if we catch this early, so schedule your next visit soon!
TALK TO OUR TEAM ABOUT TREATMENT
To schedule a consultation and address oral pathologies, make an appointment with Cerritos Dental Surgery in California call 562-584-4082 today.
