Tumours of Oral Cavity

Benign lesions

The most common type of benign lesion of oral cavity is: squamous papilloma. It contains core of connective tissue, surrounded by glandular proliferation of mucosa.

Squamous cell carcinoma

• This is the commonest tumour of oral cavity. Commonly occurs in older people. Basically, there is abnormal proliferation of mucosal cells. Can involve specifically the: lip, dorsum of tongue, palate.
  
• Predisposing factors: tobacco, alcohol, betel nutes (Asians), UV light. Infections such as: candidiasis, human papilloma virus, herpes simplex virus can also lead to squamous cell carcinoma. Premalignant lesions (described in lecture notes) n the vicinity of oral cavity can also lead to this.
  
• Histological patterns: moderately differentiated mucosal cells proliferate into submucosa layers, sometimes can be into lumen (exophytic). Then spreads to muscle and regional lymph nodes.

Other malignant neoplasms

Adenocarcinoma / adenosquamous carcinoma of oral cavity, connective tissue neoplasms, malignant melanoma.

Category: Pathology Notes