International Journal of Dental Sciences

International Journal of Dental Sciences

www.dentaljournal.in
E-ISSN: 2663-4708, P-ISSN: 2663-4694
Received Date: 29-12-2018 Accepted Date: 30-01-2019; Published: 06-02-2019
Volume 1; Issue 1; 2019; Page No. 31-33

Early detection of oral cancer: Central role played by dental surgeons

Shahrukh Ali khan1, Waseel Ahmed siddiqui2, Mehwash kashif3, Tayyaba Rasool4
1, 2
Department of Oral Surgery, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
3
Department of Oral Pathology, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
4
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract
Dental specialists are ordinarily the primary experts who are drawn nearer to treat pathologies inside the oral cavity. Therefore, they
should be well-prepared and well-equipped in recognizing suspicious lesions during routine clinical practice. They should have firm
knowledge on early signs and risk factors that are associated with oral cancer so they can prevent the lesion on its early stages.
Unfortunately due to lack of proper knowledge patient is diagnosed in late stages when the prognosis is poor.Inspite of the fact that basic
oral cancer examination for provisional diagnosis requires only 90 seconds but very few dentists are investing their energy for the same.
In this short communication we would discuss the same.

Keywords: Dental specialists, oral cancer, provisional diagnosis

Introduction
Oral cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and difficult process that’s why secondary oral cancer prevention
worldwide and is significantly more deadly than breast or i.e early detection is particularly fundamental [12].
prostate cancer. It is evaluated that every hour one person dies No group of Medical professionals other than Dental surgeons
from the outcomes of oral cancer every day [1, 2] Oral SCC is the has a better opportunity to have a positive impact on early
6th most common cancer all around and its occurrence is detection of oral cancer. Since dental specialists have a chance to
expanding. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have the look at oral and perioral region, they assume an imperative job in
highest incidence with up to 25% of all new cancers affecting the early identification of the oral cancer. The job of the dental
oral cavity [3], compared with 6% in France and 3% in the UK [4]. specialist is not just in the aesthetics(repairing the teeth,
Over 95% of every oral malignancies are oral squamous cell executing the prosthetic work, etc.), but that they can likewise
carcinoma followed by adenocarcinoma and small salivary gland manage the matter of life and death [13]. Moreover, opportunities
tumors 5%, verrucous carcinoma and lymphoma 2% each and the exist during a patient’s visit to a dental clinic for risk habit
rest among which we can find rare sarcomas and other intervention services as it is well established that dental patients
odontogenic tumors [5]. The overall survival rate for those with are traditionally well responsive to preventive well being
localized disease at diagnosis stage is 75% but only 16% for messages and further, as some risk factors including smoking and
patients with late stages because in most of the cases cancer is betel quid chewing leave oral effects, noticeable proof of the
diagnosed at stage 3 or 4 with lymph node metastasis [6, 7]. advantages of end can fill in as a solid inspiration for patients to
Tobacco, liquor, and betel quid (BQ) use have been perceived as stop [14].
major risk factors of oral cancer. Cigarette smoking and liquor Dental examination performed by dentist to look for the signs of
drinking are the significant risk factors in Western nations, while oral cancer or precancerous conditions in a group of
BQ use and smoking are the major risk factors in Asian nations asymptomatic individuals to detect those with a high probability
[8-10]
. Substantial consumers and smokers have 38 times the risk of having or developing a given disease with the aim of detecting
of abstainers from both products [11]. disease at an early stage is termed as screening. Given the
As most of oral malignant cancers are related with the factors accessibility of the oral cavity, conventional oral examination
related to lifestyle including smoking, betel quid biting and liquor (COE) is the most well-known strategy utilized for oral cancer
utilization, the essential measure for prevention of oral cancer is screening [15].
through health education that aims to change the way of life that Criteria for inspection of the oral leukoplakia or squamous cell
are known to be related with oral cancers. Notably however, the carcinoma includes changes in surface texture, loss of surface
figures concerning the preventive activity and early limitation of integrity, color, size, contour deviations or mobility of intraoral
oral malignancy have remained disappointingly enduring over or extra-oral structures [16]. Clinicians can expand survival rates
the span of the latest couple of decades and studies detailing the if a pre malignant lesion is found and treated before it becomes
achievement of essential counteractive action are constrained, malignant [17]. Table 1 highlights suspicious signs that require
showing the fact that changing behaviour or way of life is a slow immediate referral for further investigation.

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Table 1: Red Flags – trigger for referral Funding

Non healing lesion >2 weeks Not Applicable
Ulcer or mass with raised heaped up margins, puckering/tethering
of surrounding tissue Pain or numbness/tingling associated with a Competing interests
persistent lesion Authors have no competing interests.
Red lesion (erythroplasia) or Red-White lesion (leuko-
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