oral lesions Flashcards
what tests should be done if a patient presents with glossitis
haematinic tests and fungal cultures
fibroepithelial polyp
same colour as surrounding mucosa, no cause of concern but may disrupt function depending on location
name 2 reasons why mucosa may appear white
less blood flow in tissues e.g LA with vasoconstrictor
thickening of mucosa or keratin deposition - visibility of blood vessels decreased
leukoplakia
white patch that cant be rubbed off and cant be attributed to any other cause
fordyce spots
ectopic sebaceous glands
seen mostly on buccal mucosa, sometimes lips
benign, normal structures
frictional keratosis
keratosis as a response to trauma
thickening sees loss of visibility of blood vessels and therefore white appearance
smokers keratosis
seen on palate
keratosis as a result of trauma from thermal gases
histologically thick layer of keratin and often an increase in melanocytes so pigment changes may also be seen
white sponge naevus
hereditary keratosis
fluid accumulates between cells making visibility of blood vessels less
if one family member has it another often does too
name 2 reasons for mucosa to appear red
increase in blood flow - inflammation or dysplasia
reduced thickness of epithelium
erythroplakia
red patch which cannot be attributed to any other cause
more of a malignancy concern than leukoplakia
capillary haemangioma
red in colour
lots of blood vessels within one area of connective tissue
defined border - think mark on chest
cavernous haemangioma
blue in colour
slow moving blood with rapid deoxygenation
melanocytic naevus
‘mole’
increased number of melanocytes in a specific area - increased pigment production
melanotic macule
increased deposition of melanin
rare in oral area - provoked by sun exposure
name 4 characteristics of a melanoma lesion
variable pigmentation - high and low
irregular outline
raised surface
symptomatic - itch, bleed
most common sites of oral cancer
floor of mouth
lateral border of the tongue
retromolar regions
soft and hard palate
gingivae
buccal mucosa
what is thought to be responsible for the rapid rise in oro-pharyngeal cancer cases
HPV epidemic
name 3 potentially malignant lesions
leukoplakia
erythroplakia
lichen planus
what are the 3 categories of dysplasia
mild
moderate
severe
field cancerisation concept
site experiencing malignancy is not the only site that has experienced changes and stimuli leading to cancer
patient displaying dysplasia/cancer in one site of mucosa is at risk of this in other mucosa sites.
Risk is high within 5cm radius - basically all of oral cavity and pharynx
