Cancerous lesions

Lesions compatible with mouth cancer are in general quick growths or ulcers which do not heal in about 20 days, both types usually show hard edges.

Be attentive!

The Acupuncturist does not need to know lesion nomenclature. They should, however, carefully examine the mouth and if lesions of this type are found, refer the patient urgently to the appropriate health service. Check the images carefully to become familiarized with the appearance of the commonest cancerous lesions and learn how to recognize them during inspection.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the left parotide gland infiltrating the overlying skin.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Early invasive cancer in the floor of mouth. Note the erythematous ulcer proliferative growth in the floor of the mouth (arrow).

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the lower lip. Note the punched out ulcerative lesion in the lower labial mucosa with raised and rolled out margins. The disease was caused by chronic irritation and trauma from the upper central incisors which have undergone attrition.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Early carcinoma left commissure. An exophytic 1x1 cm growth in the left commissure.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the tongue. Note the exophytic growth seen on the right lateral margin of tongue extending to the dorsum.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the tongue. Note the ulcer proliferative growth on the left lateral margin of the tongue.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Carcinoma on the right side of the hard palate. An exophytic growth of 5x4 cm extending from the right maxillary alveolus to the adjacent hard palate.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Verrucous carcinoma right commissure. Note the exophytic growth with finger-like projections (arrows), extending to the right cheek in a patient with oral submucous fibrosis.

Carcinoma

Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the tongue. Note the extensive ulceroproliferative growth on the right lateral margin of tongue.

Melanoma

Melanoma

Malignant melanoma of the left buccal mucosa. Note the pigmented patch with nodular areas on the buccal mucosa of this 26-year-old man.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the oral cavity. Note the fleshy growth involving the right upper gingiva extending from the canine to the third molar.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma

Lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 12-year-old boy. Note the fleshy growth involving the left side of the posterior aspect of the tongue.

Metastatic tumor

Metastatic tumor

Metastatic tumor in the left lower alveolus. Note the diffuse swelling in the left molar region with a fleshy 2x1 cm pedunculated mass near the last molar. The first two molars are missing.

If lesions of this type are found, refer the patient urgently to the appropriate health service.


Learn how to identify anatomic variations and oral lesions