oral surgeons – Oral Cancer News

GIVING ORAL CANCER A LOUDER VOICE

BY PATTI DIGANGI, RDH, BS Even with our best efforts, oral cancer continues to have a nearly 50% mortality rate at five years. This equals 40,000 deaths annually in the United States with 370,000 worldwide. It is predicted that there will be a world-wide oral cancer epidemic by mid-21st century. Predictions are based on what has been and current situations. The wonderful part of predictions is they can be wrong. Two people, Alison Stahl and Eric Statler, are leading the way to circumvent that future death rate. They challenge all of us across the country not to be reactive — but rather to be proactive in our approach. Volunteers welcome participants to the oral cancer walk. Eric Statler is a stage IV oral cancer survivor. As happens far too often, he was initially misdiagnosed and thought to be experiencing pain related to wisdom teeth. An infection that followed his extractions was treated with antibiotics and he was dismissed. With no resolution and increasing pain, he went back to the dentist who immediately referred him to a specialist. Someone You Should Know: (from left to right:) Mike Stahl, Kim Benkert, Denise Snarski, Bonnie Chisholm-Green, Trish DeDios, Patti DiGangi, Donna Grzegorek, Alison Stahl, Amy Frazin, Lois Roewade, Ewa Posorski, Tracy Fritz, Zuzana Buc, Cynthia Pfeiffer, and Eric Stadler. At the age of 33, Eric was diagnosed with stage IV HPV related oral cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed along with multiple disfiguring surgeries and some facial paralysis. Treatments were initially [...]

Charlotte Parker2012-11-02T14:48:17-07:00October, 2012|OCF In The News|

High risk of developing ONJ for cancer patients on bisphosphonates

Source: Dr.Bicuspid.com Research has shown that cancer patients on bisphosphonates are at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and that those on the intravenous form of the drug are at a higher risk compared with those on the oral drugs. However, a new study that looked at cancer patients on zoledronic acid (ZOL) and chemotherapy combined with the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab (BEV) who underwent a dental exam before starting treatment found that none of them developed ONJ (JADA, May 2011, Vol. 142:5, pp. 506-513). Researchers from the University of Siena in Italy investigated the incidence of and risk factors for ONJ in patients with metastases to the bone from solid tumors who received ZOL and BEV. Their study included 59 patients (34 with breast cancer and 25 with non-small cell lung cancer [NSCL]) who received 4 mg of ZOL intravenously every four weeks and 15 mg per kg of BEV every three weeks. The median time the participants received ZOL therapy was 18 months, while the median time participants received BEV therapy was 16 months. The researchers took several measures to reduce the study participants' risk of developing ONJ, including the following: Dental caries and periodontal disease were treated before starting study treatment. Mouth rinses with chlorhexidine and local antibiotic agents were administered before baseline oral hygiene. Recommendations were made for maintaining good oral hygiene. Teeth were extracted at least four weeks before starting ZOL and BEV therapy. Invasive dental procedures were avoided during treatment. If invasive dental [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-05-24T10:21:55-07:00May, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Oral Cancer screening draws hundreds

Volunteer prosthodontists and oral surgeons, in conjunction with UCF’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Pre-Dental Society, conducted hundreds of free oral cancer screenings during a Nov. 3 outreach event held near the Student Union. “Our students and the doctors screened approximately 400 students, staff and faculty over six hours,” said Bari Hoffman-Ruddy, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders. “This is a record for us and the American College of Prosthodontist’s annual screening program.” The ACP is particularly interested in targeting a younger population for screenings because of the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and oral cancer. According to the ACP, 25 percent of those newly diagnosed with oral cancer have no traditional risk factors, such as the use of tobacco or alcohol. “Much of the literature suggests a strong association between transmission of HPV via oral sex, and this is a relatively new demographic with oral cancer,” said Dr. John Whitsitt, a prosthodontist and ACP member from Daytona Beach who volunteered at the event. Students and faculty members worked at tables outside a large bus devoted to the screenings. They shared information about risk factors associate with oral cancer and encouraged people to have a free screening performed by a volunteer specialist. Each screening took just a few minutes. As of 1 p.m., no cases of oral cancer had been detected, said Whitsitt, who was clearly pleased with the turnout. ”But it’s just so important to increase awareness about it.”

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-11-07T08:23:09-07:00November, 2010|Oral Cancer News|