ulcer

Woman gets new tongue made from her arm after cancer battle

Source: www.mirror.co.uk Author: Laura Elvin A woman who lost her tongue while fighting cancer has had a new one made from her arm. Despite being a non-smoker Joanna Smith, 58, was diagnosed with tongue cancer after she found a tiny 'ulcer' in her mouth. The grandmother-of-four was given eight months to live unless she had it removed, so went through with a 15-hour surgery. Doctors removed her tongue via a hole in her neck and made a new one using skin, muscle and a long vein from her left arm . The cleaner, from Bedfordshire, was able to talk as soon as she woke up and can now eat and drink on her own. However, she has no taste buds on the new organ and has to eat slowly to avoid biting it - but is cancer free and expected to make a full recovery. The mum-of-two said: "It's a bit weird. I look at my arm and I can see where my tongue has come from. "I think 'that's in my mouth now but yet I can talk' and that's really weird. I can't stick my tongue out and I can't say it really feels like a tongue. It feels a bit surreal. Before I had it done I was thinking to myself 'how it that going to work' but now I've had it I'm like 'wow'." "It's really weird but it shows what they can do now." Joanna noticed a tiny dot on the side of her tongue [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2019-02-19T07:27:18-07:00February, 2019|Oral Cancer News|

Early detection, treatment helps conquer oral cancer

Source: www.newsbug.info Author: Bob Moulesong According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, almost 50,000 cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2018. The American Cancer Society reports that 10,000 people will die from the disease this year. Half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer will be alive in five years, according to both sources. While those are disquieting statistics, Region physicians say routine checkups and early diagnosis improve the odds. Oral cancer Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, saliva glands, and throat. “People we see usually come to us for a lesion or ulcer found in the mouth or throat,” says Dr. Akta Kakodkar, an ear, nose and throat specialist with Community Healthcare System. “Some of them experience no pain but notice a growth or patch of discolored tissue in their mouth, cheek or gum.” Kakodkar, who with her husband and fellow Community ENT physician, Dr. Kedar Kakodkar, treats oral cancer patients, is quick to point out that not every lesion, ulcer or mouth sore is cancer. “We see hundreds of nervous patients who have bacterial or fungal infections,” she says. “Treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medications clear up many of these lesions. There are also many white and red patches that clear up on their own.” The only way to know is a thorough examination. Types and risk factors “Most cases of oral cancer are linked to use of tobacco, alcohol and betel [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2019-01-04T20:02:56-07:00November, 2018|Oral Cancer News|

Beware the signs of mouth cancer

Source: www.pressandjournal.co.uk Author: Lisa Salmon Most people think of a mouth ulcer as a minor irritation that will disappear in a few days. Normally they’re right. But if the ulcer doesn’t heal and lasts longer than three weeks, it could be a sign of something more sinister: mouth cancer. Mouth, or oral, cancer, which can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat, is one of the UK’s fastest-growing cancers. In the past decade, incidences have risen by 41% and, of the 5,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year, it kills around 2,000 of them. That’s one every five hours. About 70% of mouth cancers are detected at a late stage, which dramatically reduces the chances of survival. Yet if the cancer is detected early, more than 90% of people survive. For that reason, the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has organised Mouth Cancer Action Month. In November, the organisation aims to raise awareness of the condition – which recently struck the film star Michael Douglas – so that people recognise the warning signs and are regularly checked for mouth cancer by their dentist. Signs include ulcers which haven’t healed after three weeks and lumps, or red or white patches, in the mouth, all of which can be mistaken for something less serious. In addition, swelling below the neck or chin, pain when chewing or swallowing, or a feeling that you have something in your throat that can’t be swallowed, can also indicate the disease. If you have any of [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-10-31T11:01:56-07:00October, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Hollywood star’s diagnosis highlights high risk of mouth cancer

Source: www.dentalhealth.org.uk Author: press release THE British Dental Health Foundation, which runs UK Mouth Cancer Action Month each November, is calling for more attention to be paid to mouth cancers reminding people that there is a death from mouth cancer on average every five hours in the UK. Oral health experts and the Foundation are advising the public to regularly check their mouths after news broke this week of actor Michael Douglas being diagnosed with oral cancer. The Academy Award winner has recently been diagnosed with a tumour in his throat, and now faces an eight–week cause of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This high profile case has brought oral cancers into the lime light, and oral health experts are keen to make the public more aware of the key risk factors and early warning signs. Douglas quit smoking in 2006, after a long ‘half a packet a day’ habit. Yet, the possibility of developing oral cancer remains higher for ex–smokers than non–smokers for 20 years after quitting. Tobacco is considered to be the main cause of mouth cancer, with three in four cases being linked to smoking. Drinking in excess is also a known factor, with those who both smoke and drink to excess being up 30 times more likely to be at risk. The Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter said: “It is crucial the public know about the risk factors and early symptoms as early detection can save lives. Survival rates can increase from [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-08-19T19:03:52-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Oral cancer doesn’t silence North Carolina man

Source: The Cherokee Scout Author: Lizz Harold Marble – Switching out one form of tobacco for another, Rick Miller, 44, learned how to quit smoking and dipping the hard way. Miller went to a doctor in March to see if an ulcer inside his mouth could be removed. He expected a round of antibiotics or oral surgery. He figured he would be back to dipping as usual after it was taken care of. “I really didn’t have any symptoms. I got an ulcer underneath my tongue. They thought it was all it was,” Miller said. Miller’s wife, Nicolia, did what most people do when they suspect they have an ailment. She went online and did an Internet search. After doing her own research, she was convinced it was mouth cancer, and Miller decided to see a specialist to see if their suspicions were correct. “Everything happened so fast after that,” Miller said. Informed by the specialist that he had oral cancer, he was immediately set up with a chemotherapy and radiation doctor. The father of four, two who are twin toddlers, had to undergo bouts of chemotherapy – including days where it was pumping into him everyday. From dipping to smoking Eight years ago, he stopped a 21-year smoking habit and began dipping tobacco. After more than 30 years of combined tobacco use, Miller has been forced to give up his addiction. “I gave up smoking and needed something to fill the void,” Miller said. He said he got a [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-06-03T15:55:07-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Dentist who told mouth cancer victim to gargle with Listerine allowed to carry on practising

Source: Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk) Author: staff A dentist who told a patient suffering from mouth cancer to gargle with Listerine will be allowed to continue in practice. Nalin Dhamecha told Robin Read, 44, there was 'nothing untoward' with the ulcer on his tongue but the plumber only had a year to live. Mrs Read said: 'If he had been referred to a specialist and diagnosed, Robin's chances would have been so much greater.' 'It may have been that the cancer would have come back after treatment but at least he would have had a longer life. That's why this is not fair.' The GDC panel decided to allow Dhamecha to continue to practice, subject to conditions, describing him as a 'dedicated and valuable member of the dental profession'. It was ruled that Dhamecha's failure to spot the sore did not contribute to Mr Read's death. Panel Chair Dr John Gibson told the dentist even if you had detected the lesion on the tongue, the outcome would have been no different. Mr Read, who has a teenage daughter, first consulted Dhamecha at the Aberdeen House Dental Practice in Surrey, on two occasions in May 2006. The plumber had been visiting the surgery near his home since he was a child and began seeing Dhamecha when the previous dentist retired. Dhamecha suggested he use Bonjela and Listerine mouthwash to ease the ulcer, and took no history of Mr Read's smoking. When his mouth had still not healed by October that year, he [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-09-08T11:51:22-07:00September, 2008|Oral Cancer News|