Recognizing Warning Signs
The inside of the mouth is normally lined with smooth, coral pink skin (mucosa). Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process, the most serious being oral cancer.
Color Changes
Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia).
Non-Healing Sores
A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily.
Lumps or Thickening
A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth.
Throat Issues
Chronic sore throat, hoarseness, or difficulty chewing/swallowing.
Important Note on Pain
Pain does not always occur with pathology and is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause may also be at risk. Do not wait for it to hurt before seeking an evaluation.
The Biopsy Process
If we identify a suspicious area, we may recommend a biopsy. This is a simple procedure, usually performed under Local Anesthesia, where a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination.
Rest assured: Most biopsies turn out to be benign (non-cancerous), but a definitive diagnosis allows us to treat the issue effectively.