SOFTOUCH DENTAL/Lake Mary/Biopsy

BIOPSY

ORAL CANCER EXAM

Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%

Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.

ORAL CANCER SCREENING

According to the American Dental Association, over 25% of oral cancers occurs in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors.

The American Cancer Society recommends that patients have a complete oral soft tissue examination at least once a year. When oral cancer is found at the earliest stage, treatment is quicker, simpler, less invasive, and more than 90% successful. Many reports suggest that head and neck cancer , particularly tongue cancer, is increasing among young adults. OCS can help identify abnormalities that might develop into oral cancer.

The ADA code for this procedure is D0431 - Adjunct Pre-diag Test Detect Muco.

At SOFTOUCH DENTAL, Dr. J uses the special equipment The Velscope - https://ledapteryx.com/velscope/ - to detect any early abnormal lesion. If the Oral Cancer Screening is positive, the next step would a Biopsy to find out if the lesion is malignant or benign. The sample will be sent to an Oral Pathology Laboratory.