• 9/1/2005
  • London, England
  • C Scully, L Newman, and JV Bagan
  • Dent Update, July 1, 2005; 32(6): 326-8, 331-2, 335-7

Oral cancer is among the ten most common cancers world-wide, and is especially seen in disadvantaged elderly males. Members of the dental profession have a duty to detect both potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions. Early detection and prompt treatment offer the best hope to the patient with oral cancer, providing the best chance of a cure. As patient awareness regarding the danger of oral cancer increases, the demand for oral cancer ‘screening’ is also expected to increase significantly. The signs and symptoms of cancer often resemble less serious conditions more commonly found in the mouth and similarly presenting as a lump, red or white patch or ulcer. If any such lesion does not heal normally within 3 weeks, a malignancy or some other serious disorder must be excluded. A biopsy is indicated. Prompt referral to an appropriate specialist usually allows for the best management but, if this is not feasible, the dental practitioner should take the biopsy which should be sent to a specialist oral pathologist for histological evaluation.

Clinical Relevance:
Early detection and prompt treatment offer the best hope to the patient with oral cancer, providing the best chance of a cure. As patient awareness regarding the danger of oral cancer increases, the demand for oral cancer’screening’ is expected to increase significantly as well.

Authors affiliation:
Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, 256 Gray’s Inn Road, University College London, London WC1 X 8LD