Oral Cancer and Vizilite

This year, more than 30,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer. Five years from now, less than 60 percent of those diagnosed will still be alive. While these figures seem alarming, it is important to realize that when oral cancer is discovered early, treatment is 90 percent successful.

About Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth or oropharynx (back of your throat). A majority of oral cancers originate in the tongue and floor of the mouth. Nearly all cancers begin in the flat cells (called squamous cells) that cover the surface of the tongue, mouth and lips.

The most common sites for this cancer, called “Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)” are on the:

• Lateral border of the tongue and/or lip
• Floor of the mouth
• Soft palate (including the tonsillar pillars)
• Retromolar trigone (small area behind the wisdom teeth)

Importance of Early Detection

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it is detected early. The problem with oral cancer is that around 70 percent of the time it is not visually noticeable until it has reached an advanced stage. That is why the Vizilite exam was developed.

How Vizilite Works

Vizilite technology helps a dentist to recognize abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is visible to the naked eye. This simple device scans your oral tissue after it has been treated with a special rinse. Normal, healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark. A “Visilite lesion” will appear distinctly white. The Vizilite exam is best performed in low light conditions. Once the Vizilite is activated, the exam is completed in 10 minutes.

The purpose of using Vizilite is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage. If abnormal tissue has been identified, it is up to your dental professional to decide what the next step is.

Risk factors

Scientists and medical professionals cannot always determine why one person develops oral cancer and another does not. Researchers do know that the disease is not contagious, so you can not “catch” oral cancer from someone else.

Certain lifestyle habits create a higher risk for oral cancer than others:

• Tobacco Use: Tobacco use accounts for a majority of oral cancers. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, chewing tobacco and dipping snuff are all related to oral cancer. Heavy smokers who use tobacco for a long period of time are at the greatest risk. Tobacco users who drink heavily are at an even higher risk.
• Alcohol Use: Individuals who drink alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than people who refrain from drinking. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol you consume, and is even higher if you drink and use tobacco together.
• Sun Exposure: Lip cancer can be caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. By wearing a brimmed hat and using a lotion or lip balm with sunscreen, you can reduce this risk.
• Family history of head and neck cancer: If head and neck cancer runs in your family, you are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer, a type of head and neck cancer.

The primary reason for the consistently high death rate of oral cancer is that it tends to be discovered in late-stage development. By having routine dental exams followed by a Vizilite exam, you can reduce your risk for this potentially deadly cancer.

If you would like to learn more about Vizilite screenings and you live in the Denver, Colorado area, please visit cosmetic dentist Dr. Greenhalgh’s website today.