Surgery for Oral Cancer Patients

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are a crucial part of the care team for anyone in the Philadelphia area facing oral cancer. Not only are our surgeons able to perform soft-tissue biopsies, they are also able to assist with the construction of prosthetic teeth and mouth parts a patient may need following the excision of a tumor.

Sometimes tumors can be cut out of soft tissue, such as the tongue or inside of the lip. But when they are inside or behind a jaw bone, a section of the bone will need to be cut away. Following its removal, the section of bone may be reinserted or replaced with a prosthetic or a bit of donor tissue (possibly from another part of the patient’s body). If the hard palate on the roof of the mouth was removed, it can be replaced with a specialized prosthetic that may also include replacement teeth.

The silver lining of bone replacement is that the new bone tissue may be better suited for receiving implants. There needs to be a certain amount of healthy bone for an implant post to fuse with, and bone grafts are sometimes necessary for people who have been without teeth for a long time. A patient’s oncologist will likely want them to undergo a dental examination prior to radiation treatment to determine whether any pre-existing caries will be aggravated and if any teeth are likely to need replacements.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dental professionals are often the first to detect and diagnose oral cancer in patients. That is why it is important that you schedule an appointment with Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania anytime you experience abnormal oral symptoms. Schedule an appointment ASAP with Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas when experiencing new symptoms lasting over two weeks.

 

When strange oral symptoms refuse to heal or take over two weeks, schedule an appointment. This is often the first signs of a serious underlying medical problem. Call our office immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:

 

Lumps or hard spots in the mouth, bumps that bleed easily, a strange coloring of the gums, mouth sores or ulcers that take over two weeks to heal, a lump on the outside of the neck that has been there for at least two weeks.

 

When it comes to HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer, symptoms can differ than other types of oral cancer. These symptoms manifest as a hoarse or sore throat, problems swallowing, a constant cough, and/or pain in one or both ears.

 

There are a few major risks that can lead to oral cancer. Partaking in heavy smoking and drinking is the largest factor. Engaging in other tobacco products, like chewing tobacco, is also detrimental to your health. Another risk is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, contact Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania immediately. We have four offices located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, PA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas, visit our website or call our main South Philadelphia office at 215-463-4141.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

As providers of biopsies, we at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania work with patients who are battling cancer. Facing a diagnosis of cancer does not mean that a person’s oral health should be neglected, but it can create complications in the form of osteonecrosis of the jaw. We want our patients to be able to understand why cooperation between oral surgeons and oncologists is so important.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is when exposed jaw bone tissue dies. It can happen as a result of herpes or severe periodontal disease, but is usually a side effect of undergoing dental extractions while on bisphosphonate medication. These treatments are used to slow bone disintegration in people with osteoporosis or who are undergoing cancer treatments such as radiation and steroid use. Some symptoms of osteonecrosis include pain, swelling, and the failure of gums to heal after extractions.

While osteonecrosis may sound terrifying, it is often responsive to conservative treatments such as antibiotic rinses. It is also a very rare problem and not particularly associated with implant placement. But because there is no good way to predict whether someone will suffer osteonecrosis, it is important for patients to share with their oncologists whether they expect to need significant dental work and to have tooth extractions done early in their cancer treatment.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Risks Associated with Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can affect any of the working parts of the mouth or oral cavity. This includes the lips, the tissue that lines lips and cheeks, teeth, the tongue, gums, and the roof of the mouth. Oral cancer may also reside in the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and considers oral cancer screening to detect problems early when they are easiest to treat. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we can examine these areas and treat concerns accordingly.

If you smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or have a poor diet, changing these habits can decrease the chances of developing oral cancer. Also, if you’ve had oral cancer before, you may be more likely to develop it again, so keeping up with regular dental visits is important. If you notice mouth ulcers that do not heal, pain when swallowing, a sensation that something is stuck in the throat, or pain in the neck or ears that isn’t going away, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors to treat the problem.

If you have questions or concerns about oral surgery or oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Soft-Tissue Biopsies

Biopsies are an important tool for diagnosing lesions and malignancies in patients. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, a biopsy will be necessary to identify oral cancer. If you have an increased risk of oral cancer in your family history, as well as a history of mouth sores or dental abscesses, discuss an oral biopsy with our doctors to lessen your risk.  

When an oral biopsy is required, one of our doctors will remove the symptomatic soft-tissue and run it through a series of tests. Anesthesia will be administered beforehand, for the patient’s most optimal comfort. Once the tissue is sent to the laboratory, a pathologist will look for signs of cancer cells. If the results test positive for malignancies, we will discuss the next few phases of treatment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral surgery or appointment scheduling, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of our top concerns at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. We strive to educate the public about risk factors, including tobacco use and HPV and to recognize signs of pathology, such as soreness and discoloration. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released a statement which warned that alcohol is also a major risk factor for many cancers, including oral cancer.

Why alcohol causes oral cancer is still unclear. Current understanding of the evidence indicates that alcohol breaks down the lining of the mouth and that when it rebuilds, its DNA is damaged, causing the tissue to be deformed. Distinguishing alcohol effects from tobacco effects had been a problem for a long time, but scientists are now confident that alcohol in any amount increases cancer risk. Heavy drinking and drinking combined with smoking are still more dangerous, but the type of alcohol consumed is irrelevant.

There is some good news. The same study also found that when people stop drinking, their risk of oral, oropharyngeal, and other aerodigestive tract cancers declines to the level of non-drinkers.

Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan and Dieu operate at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Oral Cancer Screening

The doctors of Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have seen many oral cancer cases, and want you and your family to be aware of the risk. Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth. 

Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  You can also watch out for warning signs on your own.  If you notice red or white patches or a lump on the inside of the mouth, have difficult time chewing or swallowing, or experience a sore throat that doesn’t go away, come see us for a screening. For an oral cancer screening in office, your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about oral cancer screening and all the services we offer, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Whey There's No Test for HPV Oral Cancers

The rise of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers and the Center for Disease Control’s recent declaration that boys should get vaccinated, as well as girls, has made the public aware of another potential risk to their health. The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are ready to help people undergoing treatments for oral pathogens. However, there is not yet any effective way of testing specifically for HPV mouth and throat cancers.

HPV is very common, and usually harmless. While it is possible to test for HPV in a person’s mouth, only 1 percent of HPV infections become cancerous, while 80 percent of American adults are expected to have HPV at some point. Furthermore, the oropharynx is too far back to be easily observed with the tools used to detect cancers of the mouth, which are much more common, and the tissues of the throat are so creviced that scraping a small portion of them would be unlikely to catch cancerous cells even if they are present.

The best way of detecting oropharynx cancers is with visual and tactile examinations. These won’t find anything until after cancer has progressed, but they do often catch cancer in time to treat it effectively. They also may not identify HPV particularly as the cause, but doctors and patients are learning what to look out for.

 Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania performs oral biopsies.. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Oral Cancer Cautions

Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. When these cells invade the oral cavity, which includes the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor, of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat, it can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. It is important to be aware of the symptoms that occur with oral cancer. Therefore, if you are concerned by the following, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania recommend performing oral cancer self-examination monthly.

The most common symptoms of oral cancer are lumps or bumps, rough spots, crusts, or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal are other common characteristics. If you have symptoms that suggest oral cancer, one of our doctors will check your mouth and throat for red or white patches, lumps, swelling, or other problems.

If you would like to discuss oral cancer treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Oral Biopsy

The most common symptoms of oral cancer are lumps or bumps, rough spots, crusts, or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal are other common characteristics. If you have symptoms that suggest oral cancer, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania may recommend an oral biopsy.  

If your dentist or doctor thinks a particular area of your mouth looks suspicious, having an oral biopsy is the only way to confirm that oral cancer is a concern. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, this procedure involves little discomfort and can be completed in no time. To perform a biopsy, one of our doctors will remove a small bit of the suspicious area. Then, a pathologist will examine the removed cells to check for cancer. It may take two weeks to receive results, but once the test results come back, we will be able to determine whether or not the patient has cancer, if so, what type it is, and we will be able to develop the best treatment plan.

To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the oral cavity. Your oral cavity includes the lips, gingivae, retromolar trigone, teeth, hard palate, cheek mucosa, tongue and the floor of the mouth. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania we want you to understand that oral cancer is preventable and we can’t stress enough how important it is to have a powerful oral hygiene routine.

Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at these parts of the mouth and ones that lie farther inside the oral cavity such as your tonsils and uvula. Don’t try to brush these areas, because it won’t end well, however, if you brush and floss regularly your immune system will build its own strength and ability to fight off potential cancers.

To learn more about oral cancer and how to prevent it, give us a call. For more information about oral health and procedures, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. Call Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 215- 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.