ENT specialists routinely perform comprehensive examinations for cancer of the mouth (oral cancer), throat (pharyngeal cancer) and voice box (laryngeal cancer). Patients at highest risk for these cancers are smokers and/or those who drinks alcohol on a regular basis.

Tobacco (in all its forms) is a major contributor to oral and laryngeal cancer. Avoiding tobacco products is the single most important preventive measure. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of throat cancer. Moderate or no drinking reduces the risk. Most important, consuming both tobacco and alcohol significantly increases the risk of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer more than either by itself.

Patients should be aware that these lifestyle choices can lead to serious illness. They should also know the signs and symptoms of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer.

Signs and Symptoms
Early-stage oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers are often painless, and the physical signs can not be seen by the patient. So these cancers are often not noticed until they are well developed. About 60% are diagnosed only when they become advanced tumors (stage T3 or T4), so the death rate is very high. Up to 43% of patients with these cancers will not survive more than five years.

In addition to avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, patients should be aware of the warning signs and symptoms, and if they suspect a problem, they should consult an ENT specialist. This is very important, as cure and survival are most likely in the earlier stages of disease.

Early symptoms
Discoloration (red and/or white) of the soft tissue in the mouth
Sore throat that persists more than two weeks
Hoarseness that lasts for more than three weeks

Advanced symptoms
Foreign-body sensation in the mouth and/or throat
Tight muscles in the lips, mouth and/or tongue and/or difficulty in moving those muscles
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty fully opening the mouth
Chronic bad breath not caused by lack of oral hygiene
Blood in saliva or bloody mucous while coughing
Loss of teeth or a tooth prosthesis that no longer fits
Loss of voice
Single-sided pain in the throat and/or neck radiating into the ear region Palpable lump or mass developing in the mouth or on the neck Weight loss and loss of appetite

Comprehensive cancer examination at ENTinCayman
The ENT specialist performs a visual and tactile exploration of the mouth, throat, and larynx, using a microscope and endoscopes to explore areas that are not normally visible. This examination allows serious conditions to be identified at the earliest possible time, when treatments are most effective.

HPV 16 (Human Papilloma Virus) infections
In recent years, the number of young non-smoking individuals diagnosed with oral cancer has increased. The main reason is persistent HPV 16 viral infection. So far, scientists are not sure why HP 16 is associated with cancer in the oral cavity. But patients should take reasonable precautions. Women should have regular PAP smears, and both women and men should decrease HP 16 transmission by using condoms.

A Prevo-Check® can be easily performed in the ENTinCayman office. It is a blood test that detects antibodies against a papilloma variant that is associated with the presence of a precancerous or tumorous growths that are otherwise difficult to see