Oral Cancer Deadlier Than Common Cancers Says Michigan Dentist Timothy Kosinski But Survival Chances Greater When Detected Early
BINGHAM FARMS, Michigan — Even though oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when detected early it also is one of the most deadly as 24 Americans die of oral cancer every single day!
Because early detection of oral cancer is so critical, Dr. Timothy Kosinski, DDS, encourages anyone who is at risk or who is concerned to take the ViziLite Exam because when oral cancer is detected at its earliest stage treatment is quicker, simpler, less evasive, and more than 90 percent successful.
ViziLite is a quick, painless and important exam for the early detection of cancer because it detects cells not visible to the unaided eye while they can be addressed at their most-easily treated stage. ViziLite is not a replacement but an enhancement for a conventional oral cancer exam.
ViziLite is a simple exam developed using technology that has been proven successful in identifying other types of pre-cancerous or benign abnormalities. An annual ViziLite exam, in combination with a conventional visual exam, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at risk for oral cancer.
ViziLite is especially effective because abnormal areas that might not be seen in a conventional examination are more clearly identified by ViziLite.
Information about oral cancer that most Americans are unaware of include:
- The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years.
- The death rate in the U.S. for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, and cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney or ovarian cancer.
- More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, less than 57% will still be alive.
- 8,000 Americans will die each year of oral cancer.
Oral cancer is a risk for anyone age 40 or older but many reports suggest that head and neck cancer, particularly tongue cancer, is increasing among young adults. Other risk factors include: tobacco; heavy alcohol consumption; viral infections; long-term exposure to the sun; and white or red patches on the oral tissue.
Because of these risk factors the American Cancer Society recommends a complete oral soft tissue examination at least once a year. Annual oral cancer screening of patients at increased risk for oral cancer, patients age 18 and older, and tobacco users of any age, is the only way to achieve the early detection necessary to reduce the death rate of oral cancer.
Oral cancer symptoms include: a mouth sore that does not heal; white or red patch of tissue; difficulty swallowing; lump or mass in the mouth or neck; prolonged hoarseness; pain or numbness in the oral/facial region; prolonged pain in the ear; or a change in voice.
ViziLite is a non-evasive procedure that can be performed in the office. As ViziLite passes over oral tissue that has been treated with a rinse solution, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark, abnormal tissue will appear white. The purpose of using ViziLite is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage; once abnormal tissue has been identified it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.
If an abnormal area is identified during a ViziLite screening, the dentist will check the tissue to rule out recent trauma, such as a cheek bite, mouth sore, pizza burn, and any normal condition which may have caused a temporary abnormality. Then, unless the dentist is 100% certain the tissue is normal, you may be referred to a specialist or recalled for further evaluation.
For more information about Dr. Kosinski or SmileCreator go to www.smilecreator.net, call 248-646-8651 or send an email query to allquestions@smilecreator.net. SmileCreator is located at 31000 Telegraph Rd., Suite 170, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.
About Dr. Timothy Kosinski: He has practiced general and implant dentistry for 20 years.
A graduate of University of Detroit Dental School, he completed comprehensive implant training at Harvard. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, The International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Society of Osseointegration. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and most recently received his Mastership in the AGD in Anaheim this year. Dr. Kosinski has been inducted into the American and International Colleges of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. Kosinski was selected the Best Dentist in America by his peers in 2004-2005.