Mouth lesions

Question 1

when should a 2ww referral be made?

Answer 1

Unexplained oral ulceration or mass persisting for greater than 3 weeks

Unexplained red, or red and white patches that are painful, swollen or bleeding

Unexplained one-sided pain in the head and neck area for greater than 4 weeks, which is associated with ear ache, but does not result in any abnormal findings on otoscopy

Unexplained recent neck lump, or a previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks

Unexplained persistent sore or painful throat

Signs and symptoms in the oral cavity persisting for more than 6 weeks, that cannot be definitively diagnosed as a benign lesion

Question 2

in which type of patients should level of suspicion be high in?

Answer 2

over 40,

smokers,

heavy drinkers

those who chew tobacco or betel nut (areca nut).