Agnieszka Frydrych

Knowledge and perceptions regarding oral and pharyngeal carcinoma among adult dental patients

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess awareness and knowledge of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma and risk perception for developing the cancer among adult patients attending a major dental centre in Perth. Influence of socio-demographic factors on awareness, knowledge and perception was ascertained. METHODS A random sample of 120 potential participants over the age of 18 who attended the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia between 14 and 18 June 2010 were invited to participate in the survey. A total of 100 participants completed a face-to-face interview guided by a questionnaire. RESULTS Seventy-two per cent of the participants had heard of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma. Sixteen per cent knew that both smoking and drinking increased the risk of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma and 49% knew at least one sign or symptom of the cancer. Language spoken at home, education, and employment influenced cancer awareness and knowledge. Sixty-two per cent of the participants considered themselves not at risk of developing the cancer. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that knowledge concerning oral and pharyngeal carcinoma in the community may be limited and educational strategies may be required to improve such knowledge.

Dental attendance of Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients in a Public Hospital in Western Australia

BACKGROUND Dentists have recently seen the introduction of devices which aim to facilitate early oral cancer detection, sparking interest in opportunistic oral cancer screening. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of regular dental attendance amongst high risk individuals. The purpose of this study was to obtain information pertaining to dental attendance of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. METHODS All records of patients referred to the Oral Medicine Clinic at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia, between January 2005 and December 2009, from one major teaching hospital were examined. Information extracted included age, gender, smoking status, referral date, tumour type, tumour site, disease stage (TNM classification), and information on dental attendance. Outcomes measured included time (months) since the patients last dental visit and information concerning regularity of dental attendance. RESULTS No association was found between dental attendance and gender, smoking, disease stage or age at diagnosis. Most patients had not visited a dentist in the preceding 12 months. The mean date of last dental visit was 5.6 years prior. CONCLUSIONS More should be done in Australia to encourage patients at high risk of oral cancer to attend the dentist and undergo annual oral soft tissue examination.

Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Characteristics and Survival in Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Western Australians

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of malignancy affecting the oral cavity. While exposures to main risk factors for oral SCC such as smoking and alcohol use are higher amongst the Aboriginal people, little is known about oral cancer in this population. This study aimed to describe characteristics and survival of oral SCC in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians. Methods: All primary oral SCC cases reported to the Western Australian Cancer Registry (WACR) between 1990 and 1999 were analysed with respect to person characteristics including: date of birth, sex and indigenous status; and disease characteristics including: date of biopsy, disease stage and site as well as date of recurrence and date of death. Exclusion criteria included diagnosis not based on incisional or excisional biopsy, diagnosis other than oral SCC or a history of another malignant neoplasm. Results: Aboriginal individuals were more likely to reside in rural areas. No statistically significant differences in oral SCC characteristics and survival were noted between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians. Conclusion: This study provides new information on person and disease characteristics of Aboriginal Western Australians diagnosed with oral SCC.

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma survival by biopsy type: a cancer registry study

BACKGROUND Biopsy of a suspected oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is important for diagnosis. Concerns have been raised about the potential for tumour spread by incisional biopsy techniques. This study aimed to investigate the five-year survival and recurrence of oral SCC after incisional and excisional biopsy in total population data available from the Western Australian Cancer Registry (WACR). METHODS Total population data from the WACR, comprising all primary oral SCC cases diagnosed between 1990 and 1999, were examined. Information extracted included date of birth, gender, biopsy date, biopsy type, disease stage (TNM classification), disease site, date of recurrence and date of death. Records were excluded if the diagnosis was fine needle aspiration based, was not that of oral SCC and if a history was noted of another malignant neoplasm. Incisional and excisional biopsy cases were compared for five-year survival, adjusting for disease stage. RESULTS No association was found between biopsy type and five-year survival or recurrence amongst individuals with Stage I or II disease. CONCLUSIONS In this study, biopsy type was not associated with survival of oral SCC patients with Stage I or II disease, adding to the evidence that incisional biopsy of oral SCC can be a safe procedure.

Dental patch testing in patients with undifferentiated oral lichen planus

Distinguishing between oral lichen planus (LP) and lichenoid reactions to dental restorations can be impossible on clinical and histopathological grounds. Epicutaneous patch testing is an investigation that may guide patients and physicians in making timely and costly decisions to replace or cover existing dental restorations. This study aimed to assess the role of epicutaneous patch testing with a battery of dental allergens in patients with undifferentiated oral LP.

Oral nerve sheath myxoma: a rare and unusual intraoral neoplasm

We present a rare case of intraoral nerve sheath myxoma. Clinically, the neoplasm mimics many other oral mucosal pathosis, underscoring the importance of histopathology in ensuring accurate diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions. Reports of intraoral nerve sheath myxomas are essential to enhance our understanding of this rare intraoral entity.

Oral Leiomyoma in an Adult Male: A Case Report

Introduction: Oral leiomyomas are rare, benign neoplasms of smooth muscle origin, presenting as a solitary, asymptomatic, nodular mass. Case Presentation: Here we present the case of a 54-year-old male with a lesion in the midline of his hard palate, which was diagnosed as a localized benign leiomyoma, along with a review of the recent literature. Discussion: Diagnosis of a leiomyoma must be based on the histopathological assessment of tissue as the clinical appearance is non-specific. The peak prevalence of head and neck leiomyoma is observed in the 4th and 5th decade of life with uncertain gender predilection. Histological features include interlacing fascicles of smooth muscle small cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Complete excision is usually curative and recurrence is rare. Conclusion: Due to their rare nature, it is important that cases of oral leiomyoma can be reported in the literature to improve our understanding of this entity.

Xerostomia and Salivary Gland Hypofunction in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus Before and After Treatment with Topical Corticosteroids

Background: Oral lichen planus and mouth dryness are common pathoses, yet not entirely understood. These two conditions may be associated, with a few studies investigating the relationship between mouth dryness and oral lichen planus providing conflicting results. None of the studies have explored the specific impact of disease treatment on mouth dryness. Objective: The purpose of this observational before and after comparison study was to examine the effect of treatment of oral lichen planus with topical corticosteroids on mouth dryness. Methods: Nineteen subjects with oral lichen planus were evaluated for the severity of xerostomia using a xerostomia inventory and a visual analogue scale. Stimulated and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates, unstimulated salivary pH and buffering capacity were also measured. All subjects were evaluated before and after treatment with topical corticosteroids. Results: All subjects reported xerostomia before treatment with topical corticosteroids, with 79% reporting a significant improvement (P = 0.03) after treatment. Topical corticosteroid treatment was not associated with statistically significant differences in stimulated or unstimulated salivary flow rates, unstimulated salivary pH or buffering capacity. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treatment of oral lichen planus with topical corticosteroids may decrease the severity of dry mouth symptoms.

Hyposalivation in a 16‐year‐old girl: a case of salivary gland aplasia

Salivary gland aplasia is a rare condition with only a small number of cases reported worldwide. It is more commonly seen in males and can occur either in isolation or association with other defects or syndromes. It may or may not occur with a hereditary background. Scant literature exists detailing the status of sublingual salivary glands in patients with any form of major salivary gland aplasia. This case report describes the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging presentation of a 16-year-old girl with major salivary gland aplasia detailing the status of all six major salivary glands.

Expertise regarding dental management of oral cancer patients receiving radiation therapy among Western Australian dentists.

Objectives: Dental care forms an important part of the multidisciplinary management of oral cancer patients. The aim of this study was to examine actual and self-perceived knowledge and clinical expertise regarding dental management of oral cancer patients receiving radiation therapy among Western Australian general dentists. Materials and Methods: An invitation to participate in a web-based questionnaire was emailed to 1095 dentists registered with the Australian Dental Association (ADA), WA branch. To assess dentists’ knowledge and expertise, actual and perceived knowledge was investigated. Information regarding type of practice, practice location, year of graduation and number of oral cancer patients treated in the preceding 12 months was also obtained. Results: One hundred and ninety one dentists responded to the survey. General dentists who took part in the study appeared to possess some knowledge regarding dental management of oral cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. The majority of responders however identified deficiencies in their knowledge and willingness to participate in continuing education programs. Conclusion: In view of the rising incidence of oral cancer in Western Australia, efforts should be made to provide more clinically relevant training to dentists in this area.