Oral Pathology
The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a
special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in
color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign
for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral
cancer. The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathologic
process or cancerous growth:
- Reddish patches (erythroplakia) or whitish patches
(leukoplakia) in the mouth
- A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
or the lips
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate and
gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face and/or neck. Pain does
not always occur with pathology, and is not often associated with
oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain
without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral
cancer.
