UTHealth Houston Expert Highlights Urgent Need for Early Oral Cancer Detection During Awareness Month
By: Simon Young, DDS, MD, PhD Professor and Acting Chair for Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at UT Physicians.
Welcome to “Ask the Expert,” a UTHealth Houston newsroom series where our leading physicians examine pressing health challenges. In this edition, we address oral cancer, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and the research at UTHealth Houston.
As Oral Cancer Awareness Month is observed this April, experts are emphasizing the critical importance of early detection in combating oral and oropharyngeal cancers—diseases that continue to claim approximately one life every hour in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
This year alone, an estimated 59,600 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer. A major concern remains that many cases are detected at advanced stages, when treatment becomes more complex and survival rates decline significantly.
“Oral cancer often develops silently, with early stages showing little to no pain or obvious symptoms,” said Simon Young, Professor and Acting Chair of the Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. “This is why awareness and routine examinations are essential—they can make the difference between early intervention and late-stage diagnosis.”
Understanding Causes and Risk Factors
Oral cancer develops in the cells lining the mouth when abnormal changes lead to uncontrolled growth, often progressing through precancerous stages before becoming invasive.
“The most well-established risk factors remain tobacco use and alcohol consumption, particularly when used together,” said Simon Young. “At the same time, we are seeing a shift in the broader landscape of head and neck cancers, with Human papillomavirus playing a growing role, especially in cancers of the throat.”
Additional contributing factors include chronic inflammation, sun exposure (particularly for lip cancers), and individual susceptibility. However, experts caution that oral cancer can still develop in individuals without clear risk factors, reinforcing the need for regular screenings.
Recognizing Early Symptoms
Early detection is challenging because oral cancer is often painless in its initial stages. Common warning signs include:
- Persistent mouth sores that do not heal
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- Lumps or thickened areas in oral tissues
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Numbness or ongoing pain in the mouth or jaw
- Loose teeth without a clear cause
- Persistent sore throat or sensation of obstruction
“Any symptom that does not resolve within two weeks should be evaluated by a medical or dental professional,” added Simon Young.
Advances in Diagnosis and Research
Diagnosis typically begins with a clinical examination, followed by biopsy and imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, or PET scans to determine the extent of disease.
At UTHealth Houston, ongoing research is focused on improving early detection and treatment strategies.
“Our research aims to better understand how oral cancer develops and progresses,” said Simon Young. “By developing advanced experimental models, we can identify which lesions are more likely to become cancerous and target them earlier.”
Innovative Treatment Approaches
Researchers are also advancing new therapies, particularly in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
“We are developing biomaterials-based therapies that can be delivered directly to tumors, allowing controlled release of immunotherapy agents,” explained Simon Young. “We are also exploring emerging approaches such as cytokine factories, which can stimulate a sustained immune response within the tumor environment.”
These innovations aim to improve treatment effectiveness while minimizing side effects, especially in cases where traditional therapies have limited success.
A Collaborative Effort Toward Better Outcomes
This research is part of a broader collaborative effort across the Texas Medical Center, bringing together clinicians, engineers, and scientists to advance oral cancer care.
“By integrating expertise across disciplines, we are working toward more precise, targeted therapies and improved outcomes for patients,” said Simon Young.
