Advancements in Oral Cancer Detection

Dr. Duke Kim offers his Arlington VA dental patients the latest advancement in oral cancer detection, the Velscope® Technology. This diagnostic tool is simple, painless, and is an instrumental aide when diagnosing oral health problems, including cancer.

Dr. Duke Kim, a respected Virginia dentist, is inviting patients to experience the benefits of early cancer detection with routine oral cancer screenings. Dr. Kim offers the latest technology, the Velscope® to aide in early diagnosis of oral abnormalities including cancer. Dr. Kim strongly supports early detection which leads to minimally invasive treatment and better outcomes.

A clinically proven world class device, the Velscope® greatly enhances patient care. The Velscope® is a hand held device that emits a harmless, ultra-violet light used to examine the oral mucosa and screen for tissue abnormalities. The bright blue-spectrum light causes the soft tissues to naturally fluoresce, allowing the highly sensitive device to detect any abnormal tissue changes. If an abnormality is discovered during the exam, Dr. Kim will outline the appropriate course of action to treat any abnormalities detected.

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in the United States indicate approximately 50,000 people will be diagnosed with these cancers this year. An estimated 9,700 people will die of these cancers. Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers occur most often in the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx, gum tissue, floor of the mouth as well as other parts of the mouth including the lips and salivary glands. Research indicates that approximately 70 percent of cases of oropharynx cancer are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV16). Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are still large contributing factors of these cancers as well.

New research show the death rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers has been decreasing over the last 30 years. Many pre-cancers and cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx can be found early, allowing for more treatment options and increased survival rate of the patient. If oral cancer is detected within the first 5 years, in its early stage, the 5-year survival rate is estimated at 83%. The 5-year survival rate drastically drops to 63% if detected after it has spread to surrounding organs and to an alarming 38% if the cancer spreads to a distant part of the body. These rates further emphasize the importance of routine oral cancer screenings during your recare visits.

To learn more about Dr. Kim or the convenient oral cancer screening device Velscope®, schedule a personalized consultation about oral cancer screening at (703) 291-3111.

About the Doctor

Dr. Duke Kim offers personalized dental care at his leading-edge practice, Ballston Dental Arts, in Arlington VA. Dr. Kim believes in staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in dentistry in order to provide exceptional care and was awarded the Mastership Award by the Academy of General Dentistry for dedicating himself to over 1,100 hours of continuing dental education in the 16 disciplines of dentistry. Dr. Kim follows a whole body approach to dentistry and offers other comprehensive services including dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics and laser gum therapy with the LANAP® protocol. To learn more about Dr. Kim, Ballston Dental Arts, or the services he offers, call (703) 291-3111 to schedule a custom consultation.