Head and neck skin cancer: dentists' responsibility in early detection.
While there are 35,000 diagnosed oral cancers per year and 7,500 deaths, there are 30 times this amount when it comes to cases of skin cancer, the majority of which are found on the head and neck. Because many patients see their dentist more frequently than their medical doctor, dentistry is in an advantageous position to reduce the mortality/morbidity of this most common malignancy. This article discusses various types of head and neck skin cancer and how dental practitioners can perform clinical examinations to provide early detection for patients.
University of Maryland Dental School Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Paul
P
Corcoran
Louis
L
Depaola
Karen
K
Nern
Jean
J
Urquhart
D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003813:Dentistry; D003815:Dentists; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects