Oral cancer

Question 1

How common is oral cancer

Answer 1

rare in the UK - 2-6%

very common in SE Asia

Question 2

what sex is more commonly affected by oral cancer

Answer 2

males

1.8: 1

Question 3

what are the risk factors for oral cancer

Answer 3

tobacco
alcohol 
Betel quid/ paan/ areca nut
Asian descent 
poor diet and nutrition 
deprivation 
HPV
heat and mechanical trauma
immune deficiency 
genetic 
sunlight exposure on lips

Question 4

what are white lesions

Answer 4

white lesions in the oral mucosa resulting from:
thickened keratin layer and epithelial hyperplasia 
heriditary 
infection 
trauma
dermatological 
idopathic 
malignant

Question 5

what is erosive lichen planus

Answer 5

long lasting white plaques in the mouth causing ulcers

increased cancer risk

Question 6

what is geographic tongue

Answer 6

irregular, smooth, red areas, which may look like the outline of a map. There are usually wavy white lines next to the red patches

not dangerous and no increased cancer risk

Question 7

what mouth lesions can be caused by smoking

Answer 7

keratosis
melanosis
nicotinic stomatitis (hard palate)

Question 8

what is hairy tongue

Answer 8

hypertrophy and elongation of filiform papillae, with a lack of normal desquamation

associated with poor oral hygeine, tabaco use and tea/coffee

Question 9

what is atrophic glossitis

Answer 9

loss of papillae
often tongue is tender

often caused by anaemia/ defficiencies/ GI disease e.g. coeliac disease

Question 10

what lesions are potentially malignant

Answer 10

leukoplakia
erythroplakia
speckled

Question 11

what signs would constititute a high risk patient

Answer 11

• Male
• Aged 40+
• Heavy smoker
• Heavy drinker
• Presents with enlarged cervical lymph node >2cm in diameter
• Recent onset
• Significant increase in size
• Painless
• Firm-hard consistency

Question 12

what is the epidemiology of SCC in young people

Answer 12

6% of cases in patients

Question 13

what is the trend in oral cancer deaths in scotland

Answer 13

increasing

Question 14

what mnemonic can be used to remember oral cancer signs

Answer 14

red/ white lesion
ulcer
lump
exceeding 3 weeks duration

Question 15

what signs should you be concerned about re oral cancer

Answer 15

non healing ulcers
erythroleukoplakia
pigmented patches
unexplained lumps/ bumps 
numbness, pain, nauseau, bleeding 
increased discomfort from eating esp spicy food