ENT Flashcards
(5 cards)
What is leucoplakia?
Hyperkeratosis that can’t be scraped away
Premalignant epithelial dysplasis
What is erythroplakia?
Red velvety patches of epithelial atrophy and pronounced dysplasia
Mainly in elderly males + heavy tobacco use
Malignant transformation more common than in leucoplakia
Most common tumour of mouth
SCC
(95% head + neck cancers)
lips most common and amenable to surgery
tongue: typically lateral borders and anterior 2/3
floor of mouth: less common, generally asymptomatic –> mets
Causes of mouth cancer
Smoking
Alcohol (moderate intake = decreased risk, excessive intake = increased risk)
Nutritional deficiencies
Viral (esp HPV)
Prognosis of oral cancer
May infiltrate locally and metastasise to regional lymph nodes
5-year survival: 50%