Oral Cancer Treatments in Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oral cancers have similar characteristics as canker sores, but they are painless. These sores can form anywhere in the mouth area, even including salivary glands and the uvula. Since the sores are painless, oral cancer can go undetected in the early stages. However, Dr. Lapco can notice these changes early, so it’s important to get regular examinations if you have recurring lesions in the mouth.
It’s important to state, oral cancers are generally avoidable because they usually a result of tobacco and alcohol use. The most common signs of oral cancers include leukoplakia and erythroplakia sores.
Leukoplakia & Erythroplakia
Leukoplakia is a thick, white patch that develops inside the mouth, commonly around the tongue, cheeks and gums. These mouth sores can’t be scraped off and are generally found in tobacco users. Although leukoplakia isn’t necessarily dangerous, it can be very serious in some cases showing early signs of oral cancer.
Erythroplakia is similar, but it’s a red lesion that can’t be scraped off. It also has a higher risk of becoming cancerous than leukoplakia. To treat both, patches have to be removed, to destroy any cancer cells that are present. If you have trouble with these lesions, it’s important to have regular checkups with Dr. Lapco to ensure that any recurrences can be removed, since they are the most common precancerous cells found in the mouth.
If you have a persistent or recurring mouth sores, contact Dr. Lapco’s office to set up an appointment. It’s necessary to catch the symptoms of oral cancer early for treatment to avoid further complications in the future. Dr. Lapco’s Pompano Beach office is located in Broward County just 10 miles from Coral Springs and 12 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.