Intraoral Exam

Question 1

SYMPTOMS OF ORAL CANCER***

Answer 1

SORENESS
HOARSENESS
FEELING AS IF SOMETHING IS CAUGHT IN THROAT
DIFFICULTY CHEWING OR SWALLOWING

Question 2

LESIONS THAT MIGHT SIGNAL ORAL CANCER

Answer 2

LEUKOPLAKIEA: WHITE LESIONS
ERYTHROPLAKIA: RED LESIONS:GREATER POTENTIAL FOR CAUSEING CANCER THAN LEUKOPLAKIA
CANCER: DOES NOT SHOW SIGNS OF HEALING AND RESOLUTION WITHIN A 2 WEEK (14 DAY) WINDOW OF TIME

Question 3

INTRAORAL EXAM PROCEDURE

Answer 3

PLACE PATIENT NAPKIN AND PROVIDE PRE PROCEDUREAL RINSE

PROVIDE TISSUE FOR LIPSTICK REMOVAL AND CHAPSTICK

PLACE IN SUPINE POSTIION
OBSERVE BEFORE PALPATING
DOCUMENT

Question 4

Noteable findings

Answer 4

Color/texture changes
Swelling or nodules
Trauma- petechiae
Lesions
Pale, dry mucosa
Tenderness when palpated
Short frenum or papule(s) present on frenum

Question 5

** Floor of mouth palpation

Answer 5

use bimanual palpation

Question 6

Firmly attached pale pink mucosa with bluish to brown hue.
Palatine raphae and rugae
Firm when palpated

hard or soft palate

Answer 6

Hard palate

Question 7

Spongy in texture, symmetrical elevation

Hard or soft palate

Answer 7

soft

Question 8

2 methods to inspect tonsils/oropharynx

Answer 8

visual inspection only no palpation

Mirror (reflecting surface down)
Ask patient to say “ahhhh.”
Apply firm downward and forward pressure with the mirror

Have pt open wide
View the back of the throat
Have pt take a deep breath in

Question 9

**Elements of the Lesion Description

Answer 9

A- Anatomic Location
List structures/landmarks near lesion

B- Border
well or poorly demarcated and
regular or irregular

C- Color
Overall color and color variations (multiple colored, border color and center color)

C- Configuration
Single or multiple- discrete/grouped/confluent, linear

D- Diameter
Measure in mm with periodontal probe
Include shape with measurement

 T- Type
FLAT
Macule 
Patch
ELEVATED SOLID 
Papule 
Plaque
Nodule
Wheal
FLUID FILLED
Pustule
Vesicle
Bulla
LOSS OF SURFACE
Ulcer
Crack
Fissure

T- Texture (Surface)
Smooth, crusted, rough

Question 10

**Elements of the Lesion Description

Answer 10

A- Anatomic Location
List structures/landmarks near lesion

B- Border
well or poorly demarcated and
regular or irregular

C- Color
Overall color and color variations (multiple colored, border color and center color)

C- Configuration
Single or multiple- discrete/grouped/confluent, linear

D- Diameter
Measure in mm with periodontal probe
Include shape with measurement

 T- Type
FLAT
Macule 
Patch
ELEVATED SOLID 
Papule 
Plaque
Nodule
Wheal
FLUID FILLED
Pustule
Vesicle
Bulla
LOSS OF SURFACE
Ulcer
Crack
Fissure

T- Texture (Surface)
Smooth, crusted, rough

Follow Up Questions
Ask patient about duration of lesion and history- symptoms, pain, color/size/texture change
Include habits that may put patient at risk for lesions