The United States National Institute of Health has awarded a team of international researchers $2 million to develop a new test for the discovery of oral cancer. This rapid diagnosis will help save lives otherwise lost to this cancer, which has one of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers.
If oral cancer is detected early, patients are more than 90 percent likely to have a five-year survival rate. Due to late detection, the current survival rate is only 50 percent.
Using the new test, dentists remove cells from the mouth with a brush, place them on a nano-bio-chip and insert the chip into the battery-powered analyzing device. They will see a result within 8-10 minutes.
Led by Rice University Professor, John McDevitt, who developed the micro-chip used in the test, the project combines the latest techniques in nano and biotechnology. The numerous benefits of this new procedure will include shorter waiting times and decreased numbers of visits to the dentist.
Salivary gland cancer is a rare cancer that begins in the salivary glands of the mouth, throat or neck. Salivary glands make saliva, which help digestion and keep the mouth moist. Salivary gland cancer most commonly occurs in the parotid gland.
Symptoms of salivary gland cancer include a lump or swelling on or near your jaw or in your neck or mouth, numbness in part of your face, muscle weakness on one side of your face, persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland, difficulty swallowing or trouble widely opening your mouth.
Risk factors for salivary gland cancer include older age, radiation exposure and workplace exposure to certain substances. Although it is possible for the cancer to develop at any age, salivary gland cancer is most commonly found in older adults. High radiation exposure, such as radiation therapy to treat other cancers puts one at greater risk for developing salivary gland cancer. Lastly, those who work with substances such as nickel alloys and silica dust, have an increased risk of the cancer.
In order to diagnose, a doctor will usually go through a three-step process. First, a physical exam is performed, in which the physician will feel the throat, neck and jaw for any lumps or swelling. Next, imaging tests are performed, such as a computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Lastly, a biopsy is performed, in which the physician collects a sample of the tumor for future studying and analysis in a laboratory.
There are a few choices of treatment for salivary gland cancer. Surgery may be an option. The surgeon may remove a portion of the affected gland, the entire salivary gland or the lymph nodes in the neck. Or they may perform reconstructive surgery to repair affected bone, skin or nerves. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be necessary for proper treatment.
Some people consider smokeless tobacco products a healthier alternative to smoking. But most U.S. health officials discourage that approach. Information released from the National Cancer Institute states that smokeless tobacco products contain 28 different carcinogens, are linked to an increased risk of oral cancers and may be associated with other forms of cancer. But is smokeless tobacco as lethal as smoked tobacco? According to the Journal of BMC Medicine, it is not.
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