Oral Squamous Cell Cancer - Farmington Hills, MI

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of oral cancer this year. Of that number, approximately 9,750 will die from their condition.  Approximately 43 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer will die within five years of their diagnosis. Numbers like these reveal the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer in its earliest stages.

Farmington Hills, MI attorney Robert Gittleman takes dentists' errors seriously. You should consider filing a dental malpractice lawsuit when dentists or oral surgeons make dangerous mistakes. This holds those in the dental care field accountable, provides you compensation, and helps ensure other patients receive safe care. With this in mind, let’s focus on oral squamous cell cancer and why delayed diagnosis must be taken seriously.

About Oral Squamous Cell Cancer

Also known as oral carcinoma, this type of oral cancer typically starts as a sore/lesion in the mouth. It can progress if untreated to advanced stages.

About 90 percent of all oral cancers diagnosed each year are oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Squamous Cell Cancer

Oral cancers have numerous symptoms and warning signs. Be sure to discuss any of the following issues with your dentist:

• A sore on your lip or mouth that does not heal
• Persistent white or red patches in the mouth
• Growths or lumps in your mouth
• Loosening of your teeth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Oral pain
• Ear pain

Smokers and people who consume excessive alcohol are more likely to develop these conditions.

How Oral Squamous Cell Cancer Is Diagnosed

Oral squamous cell cancer is usually diagnosed by examining a lesion and taking a biopsy. Since the growths and discoloration are abnormal, dentists must detect early signs of oral cancer.

The Consequences of a Failed or Delayed Diagnosis

Early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer ensures it can be treated as soon as possible.  Early dianosis and treatment helps prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the mouth or throat, and helps avoid more drastic treatments.

If a dentist fails to diagnose oral cancer when the warning signs and symptoms are present that can literally mean the difference between life and death. Delayed diagnosis, missing the initial warning signs of cancer can mean the difference between less invasive treatments to treat the carcinoma versus years-long fight with cancer.

Legal Damages for Dental Misdiagnosis

In dental malpractice cases, we seek money damages for a dentist’s negligent mistakes.

Damages include  cost of medical care and treatment for your oral squamous cell carcinoma, lost wages due to the cancer and treatment, pain, suffering, disability, deformities, and legal fees. If you lose a loved one to oral cancer, damages will also cover funeral costs, loss of support, and other losses associated with the death of your loved one.

Speak with a Dental Malpractice Attorney

For more information about the duty of dentists to timely and properly diagnose and treat cancer, contact Robert Gittleman, a very skilled dental malpractice lawyer. Reach Robert Gittleman Law Firm, PLC in Farmington Hills by phone at (248) 737-3600.  We practice nationwide.