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. Most of these are benign and are inflammatory, reactive, or autoimmune in nature. The most serious risk is oral cancer. The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathologic process or cancerous growth:
- Reddish patches (erythroplasia) 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
- 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, curiously, 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.
We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly and remember that your mouth is one of your body's most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores, please contact us so we may help
What Is A Biopsy?
A biopsy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a piece of the suspicious tissue identified at the time of the examination. Fortunately, most biopsies can be carried out in the office setting under local anesthesia. Upon completion of the biopsy, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination. Small lesions may have been removed in their entirety during the biopsy while larger lesions may have had only a small portion removed and an additional surgery may be required. The pathologist will examine the specimen and a report will be sent to our office usually within 10 days. This is reviewed at the follow up exam.
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