Potentially Malignant Lesions and Oral Cancer Flashcards
Which is the most serious potentially malignant lesion?
Erythroplakia
Leukoplakia:
What are the 3 indications of greatest malignant potential for leukoplakias?
- Speckled, nodular or verrucous lesions
- LOCATION = at-risk sites i.e. lateral or ventral tongue and FOM
- Associated with Candida
Which has a higher rate of malignant change, specked or non-speckled leukoplakia?
Speckled leukoplakia
Chronic hyperplastic candidosis - Candidal leukoplakia
What social factor is mostly related to this?
Smoking
What is dysplasia?
Dysplasia = abnormal development (of organs or cells) or an abnormal structure resulting from such growth
In actinic cheilitis (farmer’s/sailor’s lip), which cancer develops in around 6-10% of cases?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Submucous fibrosis:
How is this caused?
How does this present?
What do patients complain of?
Caused by areca nut chewing, spices, autoimmunity
Presents as tight vertical bands in buccal mucosa
Patients complain of difficulty eating and sleeping - restricts oral opening and stiffens tongue
Which type of oral lichen planus has potential to undergo malignant change?
Erosive form of lichen planus
What is discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)?
DLE = chronic photosensitive skin eruption
List 5 risk factors for potentially malignant lesions:
- Older than 45 years
- Combined alcohol and tobacco use
- Sun exposure
- Immunosuppression
- Human papilloma virus (HPV-16)
What is a neoplasia?
Neoplasia = cell proliferation and differentiation disorders
Describe the relationship benign and malignant neoplasms can have with the surrounding tissues:
BENIGN NEOPLASM = the cells of the neoplasm grow as a compact mass as they expand
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM = the cells invade the surrounding tissues and may even speak to distant sites
List the 4 main characteristics of benign neoplasms:
- Local invasion
- No metastasis
- Expanding growth pattern
- Usually contained within a capsule
List the 4 main characteristics of malignant neoplasms:
- Invade surrounding tissues
- Invade blood and lymph vessels leading to metastasis
- Grow in an irregular pattern
- No capsule
List 3 factors which can cause cells to grow out of control?
- Genetic
- Ultraviolet - sun
- Infections i.e. candida albicans, HOV