OVERVIEW

Oral Cancer Genetics: From Diagnosis to Treatment is organized by The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).

Accreditation:
CE Credits: 5

Original Release Date: 2014
Review Date: 2017
?Expiration Date: 2020

Course Description:
Often oral cancer is only discovered when the cancer has metastasized to another location, most likely the lymph nodes of the neck when the patient complains of a stiff neck or swollen glands. Prognosis at this stage of discovery is significantly worse than when it is caught in a localized intra oral area. Besides the metastasis, at these later stages, the primary tumor has had time to attack deep into local structures.

Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because in its early stages it may not be noticed by the patient, as it can frequently prosper without producing pain or symptoms they might readily recognize, and because it has a high risk of producing second, primary tumors. This means that patients, who survive a first encounter with the disease, have up to a 20 times higher risk of developing a second cancer at another point in time. This heightened risk factor can last for 5 to 10 years after the first occurrence. There are several types of oral cancers, but around 90% are squamous cell carcinomas. In 2010, it was estimated that approximately $3.2 billion is spent in the United States each year on treatment of head and neck cancers.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:

• List the characteristics associated with oral cancer risk factors
• Summarize the basics of tumor formation
• Understand the basics of cancer genetics and development
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Identify areas most common to oral cancer formation
• Describe the various treatment modalities
• Understand how oncogenes and tumor suppressor cells work
• Describe the staging of oral carcinomas
• Explain metastasis
• Recognize the six classes of chemotherapy drugs and their effects on cells
• Distinguish between benign and malignant tumors
• Explain the treatment considerations necessary in treating dental patients with oral complications
• Differentiate between the types of supplemental fluoride according to existing oral restorations
• Explain the home delivery procedures of supplemental fluoride application