Posted on 03-15-2011
The New Risk Profile for Oral Cancer
Traditionally, dental clinicians have been trained to look at alcohol and tobacco use as two of the main factors other than family history that put patients in the high-risk category for oral cancer.
Today, there is a new risk factor that must be seriously be considered - The oral human papillomavirus, or oral HPV, is rapidly overtaking smoking and drinking as the primary etiologic cause for newly-diagnosed cases of oral cancer.
In fact, of the 34,000 cases of oropharygeal cancers diagnosed each year, HPV is now found in up to 50 percent of them.1 Even more alarming is that the risk profile for oral HPV includes anyone over the age of 12 who is sexually active or who has had more than three sex partners.2 This is the new reality of oral cancer screening for the dental clinician. Therefore, dental patients fitting the following profile characteristics are strong candidates for the OraRisk® HPV Test:
Getting a Jump on Oral HPV- Related Cancer
About a year ago OralDNA® Labs Inc., leaders in advancing wellness in dentistry through salivary diagnostics, and a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics® Incorporated, introduced the OraRisksm HPV test.
This salivary diagnostic test is currently only available to dental clinicians under an exclusive partnership with Henry Schein Dental.
The OraRisksm HPV test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool for identifying the various types and levels of oral HPV infection, especially HPV-16 and HPV-18, which are the variants most commonly linked to oral cancer.3, 4
For the dentist and hygienist, the OraRisksm HPV test is science made simple. It is a 30-second saline rinse & gargle, whereby the collected specimen is sent to the OralDNA® laboratory in Brentwood, TN for advanced DNA analysis. Within 7-9 days, the dentist receives a report that indicates whether the patient is positive or negative for HPV.
Oral HPV Positive. Now What?
In the event that an OraRisk test result comes back positive, OralDNA® Labs recommends that the treating clinician follow their standard follow-up protocols for patients who are determined to be at increased risk for oral cancer, whether the cause is tobacco, alcohol, or oral HPV.
In the case of a positive oral HPV diagnosis where there are no visible lesions, the protocol may possibly include more frequent exam intervals, use of adjunct early oral cancer detection methods, and/or referral to an ENT or oral surgeon for a pharyngeal exam. The dental team and referral specialist would work closely together to determine specific referral criteria for the individual patient. Follow-up oral HPV testing would determine whether the infection is persistent or has been resolved by the patient’s immune system.
Although it is true that the vast majority of patients who have oral HPV will not develop oral cancer, it is also possible that patients who are positive for oral HPV may develop oropharyngeal cancer.
Salivary diagnostic testing now makes it possible for dentists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and dental hygienists to identify the approximately 1 person in 100 patients who may develop oral cancer after contracting an oral HPV infection.
Armed with the OraRisksm HPV test, oral health professionals now have a tool that will help them diagnose oral HPV infections early, have a positive impact on patient outcomes, and perhaps curtail the spread of oral HPV. Just think, if patients are told they have tested positive for oral HPV, perhaps they’ll be motivated to live a healthier lifestyle.
About OralDNA® Labs Inc. (www.OralDNA.com/Professionals; 1-877-577-9055; support@oraldna.com) OralDNA® Labs Inc., a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics® Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), is a leader in advancing wellness in dentistry through salivary diagnostics. The company’s goal is to help the dental profession achieve better clinical outcomes by providing reliable, definitive, and cost-effective clinical tests that drive the detection and prognosis of disease at an earlier, more treatable stage. Innovative salivary diagnostic tests from OralDNA® Labs are fundamental elements of a patient’s wellness plan. OralDNA® currently offers three DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for periodontal disease and oral HPV:
About Quest Diagnotics® Quest Diagnostics® is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services that patients and clinicians need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics® is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
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