At a glance…

Leukoplakia, papilloma, fissure and ulceration about the niouth are precan cerous lesions—lesions which, in inher ently susceptible individuals, have a tend ency to undergo malignant neoplastic change when subjected to sufficient irri tation over a long period. Buccal and lin gual cancer may be associated with one or more fornis of irritation such as syphi lis, tobacco or pathologic dental struc tures. Syphilitic leukoplakia usually be comes cancer. Syphilitic warts, fissures, gumma and atrophic glossitis may also precede cancer. Excessive use of tobacco produces smoker's tongue and throat with hyperemia, edema and lymphocytic infiltration of the submucosa and erosion and downward growth of the epithelium. Ragged or irregular teeth produce super ficial erosions, thickening of the regen erating epithelial layer, lymphocytic in filtration and heterotopia, followed by downward growth of atypical cells. Sonic benign tumors, originating in inflamma tory processes, may be transformed into malignant neoplasms. Transformation of polyps of the tongue into carcinoma has been observed. Regenerative hypertrophy may be a predominant underlying in fluence in the development of sonic forms of cancer. Plummer-V inson syndrome anemia, achlorhydria and atrophy of the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx—is a true precancerous condi tion. Administration of vitamins A and B with iron constitutes the only satisfactory treatment. Leukoplakia is a chronic, pain less inflammation commonly seen in the oral cavity and larynx, and may be found on the dorsum of the tongue, lip, gingiva, buccal mucosa and palate. Etiologic and predisposing factors include syphilis, atrophic glossitis, vitamin A deficiency, alcohol and tobacco, irritation from trau matic occlusion of malposed or carious teeth, improperly fitting dentures and irri tation from dental appliances, as crowns and bridges. Electric currents from fill ings of dissimilar metals have also been incriniinated. @†̃¿ Smokefs patch― is the lay term for oral leukoplakia. About 50 per cent of lung cancer develops upon pre existing leukoplakia. Many cases of leuko plakia can be corrected by simple with drawal of the known causal factor. Papil lomas may occur in any part of the mouth and are precancerous lesions. Their treat ment is usually surgical removal. Fibromas are slowly growing tumors, more or less encapsulated and are often the terminal stage of a chronic, inflammatory hyper plasia. Treatment is complete surgical ex tirpation. Recurrence is the result of in complete removal. Mixed tumors and car cinomas are the most important tumors of the soft palate. The most frequent mixed tumors of the hard palate are those of the mucous and minor salivary glands.