Diagnosis of Oral Cancer by Dentists

Oral cancer is difficult to diagnose at it's early stages. Tools include:

1. Velscope. The shining of a specific wavelength of light on the oral tissue produces fluoresence of normal tissue. Diseased tissue appears dark. This may indicate the need to biopsy.



2. Oral Risk HPV Test. This involves the gathering of a saliva sample and having it tested by an outside lab. If HPV is present, the specific strain will be determined. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are strongly associated with oral cancer. The presence of HPV does not mean that you will definately develop oral cancer, but you are at increased risk.

Most individuals see their dentist more frequently then their physician. Therefore, oral healthcare professionals have an opportunity to raise awareness and diagnose oral cancer earlier then it might have been diagnosed. Terry L. Wostrel DDS, Rocky View Dental Care