Oral Cancer Screening in El Cajon

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of tissue (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any change in this appearance could be a warning sign of a pathological condition, with the most serious being oral cancer.

The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathological process or cancerous growth:

• Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth

• A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily

• A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth

• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness and/or difficulty in chewing or swallowing

These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.

We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly. Remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we can assist you with any questions or concerns.

Dr. Gadler routinely removes suspicious lesions and sends them to UCSF Oral Pathology to be examined by one of the world’s top Oral Pathologists, Richard Jordan. He specializes in histopathology of the mouth, head & neck exclusively. These areas have unique pathological entities not seen anywhere else in the body. General pathologists do not routinely look at specimens obtained in the oral cavity and they may not be able to make the correct diagnosis so Dr. Gadler always recommends that biopsies he removes from his patients are sent to UCSF. 

To evaluate the biopsied tissue and make the diagnosis, Dr. Jordan will bill the patient’s medical, dental or both insurances to obtain coverage for the patient for his services. His fees are separate and distinct from Dr. Gadler’s fees. Anything the insurance does not cover would be the patient’s responsibility.