Oral Cancer
Michael L. Huband, D.D.S.
Director of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
VCU School of Dentistry
About Me
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Native of Chesterfield
County
Graduate VCU Dental
School
Prosthodontic residency
at LSU
Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Fellowship M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center
Cleveland Clinic
Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer
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It is predicted that 37,000 people in the United
States will be diagnosed with oral and
pharyngeal cancer in 2012
Over 8000 people will die of this disease this
year.
That’s about one death every hour
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Source: Oral Cancer Foundation
Oral Cancer in Virginia
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460 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed in 2009
160 deaths from oral cancer in 2009
Five year survival rates
Early detection – 80 to 90%
 Late detection – 45%
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Most detected late. Economic, gender & racial disparities.
 Source: The American Cancer Society and the Oral
Cancer Foundation
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Causes of Oral Cancer
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Alcohol
Tobacco
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Cigarettes & cigars
Smokeless
Age
Poor nutrition
Believed that patient
earned their cancer
Causes of Oral Cancer
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Human Papilloma Virus
Linked to cervical cancer
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A woman’s chances of
developing oral versus
cervical cancer are equal
HPV-16 found in about
2 out of 3 oral and
pharyrngeal cancers
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Tongue & tonsils
Causes of Oral Cancer
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Oral cancer is on the rise
in younger patients
without traditional risk
factors
Changes in sexual
behavior
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Increase in oral sex
Treatment of Oral Cancer
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Majority treated with surgery and radiation therapy
Oral Cancer. Robert Ord & Remy Blanchaert
Complications of Treatment
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Dry mouth
Cavities
Oral communication
with the sinuses
Difficulties speaking,
drinking and eating
Malocclusion
Facial deformities
Isolation from society
Reducing Complications
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Pre-treatment dental
examination to prevent
or reduce oral
complications
Osteoradionecrosis
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Bone which can not heal
Hyperbaric oxygen
treatment
Restoring Function
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Prostheses fabricated by
a maxillofacial
prosthodontist to restore
form and function
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Obturators
Facial prostheses
Palatal augmentations
Resection prostheses
Implants
Restoring Function
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Facial prostheses
Restoring Function
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Dental implants
Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
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A sore which does not heal
Changes in tissue color
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
Unexplained bleeding
Trouble opening
Dental Checkups
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Comprehensive, head, neck and oral tissue
examinations
Assist with tobacco cessation
Dental exam prior to cancer treatment
Vaccine
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Gardasil
3 injections over 6 months
 HPV 6,11,16,18
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Females age 9 to 26 helps protect against
cervical cancer and genital warts
Males age 9 to 26 helps protect against genital
warts
May help prevent oral cancer
Best Patient Care
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Integrated research and
practice
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Basic science
Tissue engineering
Surgical techniques
Prosthetics
Educating patients and
clinicians
VCU Response to Community Needs
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Dental and dental hygiene students rotate
through community clinics
Faculty and students participate in MOM
Projects (Missions of Mercy)
Jamaica Project
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Over 25 years of service
Duncans Jamaica
Senior dental and
dental hygiene students
Jamaica Project
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Extractions
Fillings
Cleanings
Education
Contact Information
Dr. Michael Huband
Mhuband@vcu.edu
804-628-7630
 VCU Faculty Practice
521N. 11th Street, Richmond, VA
804-828-3368
 VCU Jamaica Project
Mr. Ed Kardos, Egkardos@vcu.edu
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Questions?