Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth. Many types of normal tissues are present in a person’s mouth, face, and neck. Benign and malignant tumors may arise from these tissues. If oral cancer is suspected, a biopsy can be performed to identify whether the tumor is benign or malignant.

Early detection of oral cancer is important. Knowing the symptoms is helpful to detection. The following are the most common symptoms:

• Ulcers that do not heal or that persist longer than two weeks
• Difficulty with speaking and swallowing
• Persistent pain that radiates to the ear
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Reddish or whitish patches in the mouth

Tobacco and heavy alcohol use, particularly when they’re combined, are strong risk factors. Because some people may develop oral cancer even if they have none of these risk factors, it’s important to have regular dental check-ups and consult an oral maxillofacial surgeon if you have any symptoms or concerns.

Tri-County Oral Facial Surgeons, P.C., provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of oral cancer involving your physicians and dental practitioners. Each case is reviewed individually to determine the appropriate treatment plan.

Our practice has treated patients from those in the early stages to those whose cancer is diagnosed in later stages. Our goal is to provide the least invasive method of treatment necessary to achieve the greatest possibility for cure.