How to Detect Cancer of the Mouth

Mouth cancer, also called oral cancer, is characterized by unrestrained maturation and proliferation of cells lining the oral cavity (mouth) or the oropharynx (portion of the throat located toward the back side of the mouth). According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 23,000 new cases of mouth cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, out of which nearly 5,000 succumb to the condition. Similar to other cancer forms, no complete cure has yet been developed or discovered for mouth cancer, thus early diagnosis and proper administration of available treatment forms aids in increasing the survival rates among patients.

Instructions

Detection of Oral/Mouth Cancer

• 1

  Undergo a physical examination of the lips and the oral cavity. In a physical check up, a dentist or a physician will examine the inner linings of your oral cavity with a gloved finger to feel for any abnormal inflammations or lesions. If any lesions are detected, the physician or dentist may take a sample to send to a lab for further examination.

• 2

  Consider undergoing an endoscopy (a diagnostic method that checks the internal organs for any abnormal mass). In this process, an instrument called the endoscope is inserted through a small incision made near your mouth. An endoscope has a light source attached to it which the doctors use to examine the internal tissues for abnormal lumps.

• 3

  PET (Position Emission Tomography) scanning is another common diagnostic method used for oral cancer. In this method, radionuclide glucose is injected intravenously into your body. Then a PET scanner rotates around your body and detects the locations or organs where the glucose is being used up. In case malignant cells are present, a brightened image is shown up by the scanner because the malignant cells are more active and use up abnormally high levels of glucose as compared to the normal healthy cells.

• 4

  Undergoing an X-ray scanning is another common method that can be used to diagnose and detect mouth cancer because an X-ray highlights any abnormal polyps or lumps near the oral cavity.

• 5

  Exfoliate cytology is another diagnostic technique that your doctor might recommend. In this method, cells of the oral cavity are collected by gently scraping the portions with the help of a brush, cotton or a wooden stick. These cells are then examined under a microscope to check for abnormal growth.