Oral Pathology in Vienna, VA

Each year, around 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer. Identifying and treating oral cancer lesions early on is critical to not only a patient’s oral health but also to their general health and wellness. At Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Tysons Corner, we recommend that patients receive oral cancer screenings each year from our oral surgeons or their general dentist. Patients should also conduct self-oral cancer screenings on a monthly basis at home to check for any abnormalities or areas in the mouth that look unusual. Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Edward Delgado and Dr. Michael Kuzmik are highly skilled at diagnosing and treating all stages of oral cancer and perform biopsies and oral pathology treatments from our modern surgical center in Vienna, VA. If you notice any sores, lesions, bumps, lumps, or any abnormalities in or around your mouth, contact our team right away to schedule an oral cancer screening with our experienced surgeons.

Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, gum tissues, hard and soft palates, the floor of the mouth, or throat area. Several factors may increase the risk of developing oral cancer. These include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, genetics, sun exposure, HPV (human papillomavirus), poor oral and general health, and more. Any areas in or around the mouth that have changed or do not look like surrounding tissue should be evaluated promptly, even if the lesion has been present for some time.

While not all suspicious lesions are oral cancer, any abnormal signs or symptoms should be evaluated by your dentist or one of our oral surgeons. Oral pain may or may not be a symptom of oral cancer but should always be examined to be certain. Schedule a visit right away if you notice any of the following indicators:

• Sores that do not heal
• Lesions that bleed easily
• Lumps or raised areas
• Red or white patches
• Nodule or mass in the throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness

Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced in providing care for patients with oral cancer. If a suspicious lesion is detected during your oral cancer exam, Dr. Delgado and Dr. Kuzmik may recommend a biopsy and take advanced digital x-rays of the area. To perform a biopsy, our team will numb the treatment area with local anesthetic and remove a small portion of the lesion for further examination. The cells within the biopsy sample will be tested to determine their exact nature and if cancer cells are present. Our surgical specialists will use the biopsy results along with our clinical findings and radiographs to determine if oral cancer is present. Depending on the diagnosis, Dr. Delgado and Dr. Kuzmik will help you understand your condition and thoroughly explain the recommended treatment options. Treatment for precancerous, cancerous, and even some tissue abnormalities may require surgical removal or other modalities.

After your biopsy or oral cancer treatment, our team will review post-op instructions and recommendations for your recovery period. We will also schedule a follow-up visit at our Tysons Corner office to evaluate your healing. It is very important to continue performing routine self-oral cancer screenings each month, as well as seeing your dentist for regular care. Our team may recommend more frequent oral cancer screenings for the first few years following an oral precancer or cancer diagnosis.

Identifying and treating oral cancer as early as possible offers a more favorable long-term prognosis. Any abnormalities in the mouth, no matter how minor they may seem, could be a sign of something serious and should be evaluated right away. If you have noticed unusual signs or symptoms in your mouth or are at a higher risk for oral cancer, schedule an appointment with our board-certified team at Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Tysons Corner in Vienna, VA today.