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Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer makes up 85% of all head and neck cancers.

Symptoms

Oral cancer has many symptoms. If you notice any of the following signs, especially more than one, you should make an appointment to see Dr. Louie immediately:

  • A sore on your lip or gum that doesn’t heal after 2 weeks
  • White or red patches in the mouth or lips
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • A lump in the neck
  • Chronic earache that won’t go away
  • Sudden dramatic weight loss
  • Pain or difficulty swallowing

Screening

During a regular check-up, an oral cancer screening may be taken. During the same examination, signs of sleep apnea may become evident, and treatment for both should be arranged as soon as possible. Early signs of oral cancer are difficult to detect with the naked eye, but specialized tests can be administered and specific signs may be clear to Dr. Louie that you would not have otherwise noticed.

How Are They Connected?

Oral cancer and sleep apnea are often found together. 100% of people with oral cancer undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy have sleep apnea. Most people who undergo surgery for oral cancer also exhibit sleep apnea to some degree. While it is possible that the treatments for this aggressive disease could cause obstructive sleep apnea through swelling of tissues, it is also likely that patients were suffering with undiagnosed OSA being aggravated by these conditions.

While there is no evidence that sleep apnea causes oral cancer, many of the contributing factors and symptoms of the disorder can trigger serious health issues. These may include:

  • Hypoxia, or lowered blood oxygen levels
  • GERD causes acid to damage the esophagus, throat, nose, and mouth
  • Chronic long-term irritation of the voice box
  • Alcohol and nicotine consumption

Oral cancer has a high fatality rate, not because it is difficult to treat, but because it is often discovered only in its late stages. Because of the correlation between these two deadly conditions, diagnosis of sleep apnea may lead to the discovery of oral cancer, and will put you and Dr. Louie on the alert for cancer signs.

To learn more about oral cancer or sleep apnea, please make an appointment by calling (323) 461-9353 today.