Oral Cancer

Question 1

What are the characteristics of cancerous lesion?

Answer 1

1) crater-like ulcer, granular base and raised, rolled edges
2) white, red speckled appearance. Non-homogenous colouring
3) exophytic mass swelling
4) induration (hard texture)
5) non-healing. After 3 weeks it still remains
6) fixed to deep tissue
7) bone invasion, radiographs show radiolucency, tooth mobility, pathological fracture, altered sensation
8) lymph node enlargement

Question 2

What are the premalignancies to oral cancer?

Answer 2

• erythroplakia
• luokoplakia
• lichen planus
• candidal luekoplakia
• actinic cheilitis (lip inflammaiton from long-term sun exposure)

Question 3

What is erythroplakia?

Answer 3

• premalignancy to oral cancer
• red, velvety patch on oral mucosa
• dysplasia in situ (abnormal cells present in tissue)

Question 4

What is luekoplakia?

Answer 4

• premalignancy to oral cancer
• white/grey patches along the oral mucosa
• smoking is main cause
• irritation from rough surfaces (teeth, restorations)

Question 5

what is lichen planus?

Answer 5

-premalignancy to oral cancer
-chronic inflammatory condition that affects mucous membrane (tongue, buccal mucosa, gingivae, palate)
-appears as white, lacey, raised patches OR
red, swollen, tender patches OR
open sores
-burning sensation, sensitivity to hot.spicy foods, bleeding when brushing, gingivitis, pain on chewing/speaking

Question 6

what is Chronic Hyperplastic Candidosis

(Candidal leukoplakia)?

Answer 6

• premalignancy to oral cancer
• variant of oral candidosis
• appears as white patch along the commisures of oral mucosa