Clinical Presentation
Clinical Presentation
Signs
The most common presentations of a squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa are
an area of redness, a combined white/red lesion or an indurated (hard) area of ulceration. When such a lesion has been present for a month or more, then the lesion should be viewed with suspicion. These areas or ulcers may bleed on examination.
Verrucous carcinomas are a type of squamous cell carcinoma associated with a good prognosis. These lesions present as cauliflower-like masses at any site throughout the oral cavity. However, they are most commonly seen on the mandibular gingivae and associated buccal sulcus.
Since oral cancers spread through the lymphatic system, lymph nodes in the submandibular region and deep cervical chain may be palpable. Unfortunately, this means that the disease process has reached a more advanced stage. Cancers of the tongue and floor of the mouth show a higher tendency to regional metastasis than cancers of the lower lip. It should be noted that cancers may show ipsilateral, contralateral or bilateral lymphatic spread.
Common Presenting Signs of Oral Carcinoma:
- Red patch
- White and red patch
- White patch
- Ulceration or erosion
- Induration
- Fixation to surrounding tissues
- Lymphadenopathy