Lincroft, NJ
(732) 842-5915
  • Patient Information
    • Introduction
    • Statement of Non Discrimination
    • Scheduling
    • Financial Policy
    • First Visit
    • Oral Surgery – Videos
    • Flossing Properly – Video
    • Brushing Properly – Video
    • How & Why To Use An Interdental Brush – Video
  • Procedures
    • Congenital and Developmental Disorders
      • Special Needs Patients
    • Anesthesia and Sedation
      • Anesthesia for Pediatric and Dental Procedures
      • Anesthesia for Cosmetic and Surgical Procedures
    • Cosmetic Skin and Facial Procedures
      • Perlane
      • Ultherapy
      • Botox
      • Juvederm
      • Restylane
      • Latisse
      • Radiesse
      • Esthetician and Skin Care Treatments
      • Dermabrasion
      • Chemical Peels
      • Facial Resurfacing
    • Dental Implants
      • General Implant Informational Video
      • Teeth-in-an-Hour
      • Diem
      • Immediate Placement of Implants
      • Single Tooth Implants
      • Implant Supported Bridges
      • LOCATORĀ® Attachments and Dentures
      • Orthodontic Implants-Skeletal Anchors
    • Bone Grafting
      • Bone Grafting
      • About Bone Grafting
      • Jaw Bone Health
      • Jaw Bone Loss and Deterioration
      • Socket Preservation
      • Platelet Rich Plasma
      • Sinus Lift
      • Nerve Repositioning
      • Ridge Augmentation
    • Teeth and Dentoalveolar Surgery
      • Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
      • Wisdom Teeth
      • Impacted Canines
      • Primary or Baby Teeth
      • Infected and Fractured Teeth
      • Teeth with Periodontal Disease
      • Teeth with Associated Pathology
    • Fractures of the Facial and Jaw Bones
      • Lacerations and Soft Tissue Injuries
      • Injury to the Teeth
    • Orthognathic and Reconstructive Surgery
      • Orthognathic Surgery
      • Distraction Osteogenesis
    • Oral Pathology
      • Oral Pathology-Growths and Lesions
      • Dermatopathology and Skin Diseases
      • Autoimmune Diseases
      • Precancerous and Cancerous Growths
    • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
      • Myofascial Pain Dysfunction
      • Craniofacial Pain
      • Migraines and Headaches
      • Neuralgia’a and Neurological Origin Pain
  • Meet Us
    • Meet Dr. John Frattellone
    • Meet The Staff
    • Office Tour
  • Referring Doctors
    • Referring Doctors
    • Links of Interest
  • Patient Portal
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Information / Office Map

Procedures

  • Congenital and Developmental Disorders
    • Special Needs Patients
  • Anesthesia and Sedation
    • Anesthesia for Pediatric and Dental Procedures
    • Anesthesia for Cosmetic and Surgical Procedures
  • Cosmetic Skin and Facial Procedures
    • Perlane
    • Ultherapy
    • Botox
    • Juvederm
    • Restylane
    • Latisse
    • Radiesse
    • Esthetician and Skin Care Treatments
    • Dermabrasion
    • Chemical Peels
    • Facial Resurfacing
  • Dental Implants
    • General Implant Informational Video
    • Teeth-in-an-Hour
    • Diem
    • Immediate Placement of Implants
    • Single Tooth Implants
    • Implant Supported Bridges
    • LOCATORĀ® Attachments and Dentures
    • Orthodontic Implants-Skeletal Anchors
  • Bone Grafting
    • Bone Grafting
    • About Bone Grafting
    • Jaw Bone Health
    • Jaw Bone Loss and Deterioration
    • Socket Preservation
    • Platelet Rich Plasma
    • Sinus Lift
    • Nerve Repositioning
    • Ridge Augmentation
  • Teeth and Dentoalveolar Surgery
    • Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Impacted Canines
    • Primary or Baby Teeth
    • Infected and Fractured Teeth
    • Teeth with Periodontal Disease
    • Teeth with Associated Pathology
  • Fractures of the Facial and Jaw Bones
    • Lacerations and Soft Tissue Injuries
    • Injury to the Teeth
  • Orthognathic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Orthognathic Surgery
    • Distraction Osteogenesis
  • Oral Pathology
    • Oral Pathology-Growths and Lesions
    • Dermatopathology and Skin Diseases
    • Autoimmune Diseases
    • Precancerous and Cancerous Growths
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
    • Myofascial Pain Dysfunction
    • Craniofacial Pain
    • Migraines and Headaches
    • Neuralgia’a and Neurological Origin Pain

Precancerous and Cancerous Growths

A routine part of an oral examination should be inspection not only of the teeth and gums but also of the soft tissues in and around the mouth. Dentists look for abnormal changes that are loosely called “lesions.”

Many lesions are innocuous and can be easily diagnosed and named based upon their appearance alone. However, some lesions are not as easy to identify and require additional diagnostic steps, such as a biopsy (removal of a piece of the lesion to examine under a microscope). A small percentage of these lesions may be premalignant or even malignant.

What are these? Premalignant or precancerous (also referred to as “potentially malignant”) oral lesions involve the skin lining of the mouth (known as the epithelium) and may be at risk for becoming (transforming into) an oral cancer, although it is difficult to predict which lesions will transform and how long it will take (see below).
Who is at risk for these? As we grow older our risk of developing cancer increases. The same is true for premalignant lesions. Most lesions are detected in people over the age of 40 and those with similar risk factors for oral cancer, such as tobacco and/or heavy alcohol use, although such lesions can also be found in younger individuals and/or those without classic risk factors.

How are oral lesions detected? Premalignant lesions and early cancers are usually asymptomatic (ie the patient has no pain and they don’t even know they have a lesion), so their detection is contingent upon a careful soft tissue examination by a dentist. This examination must include the inside and outside of the lips, the cheeks (buccal mucosa), the sides and undersurface of the tongue, the floor of mouth, the gums, the roof of the mouth (palate), the back of the mouth/top of the throat (oropharynx). Most oral lesions are traumatic in nature and have no potential for cancer (Figure A). However, some oral lesions have an appearance which may raise suspicion by the dentist.

Figure A: The whitish line is a common lesion that develops as a reaction to pressure of the soft tissue against the teeth. This readily identifiable lesion is termed linea alba (white line) and has no potential for cancer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which lesions might raise suspicion? Patches that are, red, white or mixed red/white in color, or that may also be ulcerated, especially when found on “high-risk” sites such as the side (lateral surface), underside of the tongue (ventral surface), floor of mouth, or at the back of mouth/top of the throat (oropharynx). A white patch that cannot be wiped off with gauze and for which an explanation is not obvious to the dentist may be defined as a leukoplakia (Figure B & C next page). Similarly, reddish patches with no obvious cause can be defined as erythroplakia (Figure D next page) and mixed red and white areas termed erythroleukoplakia (Figure E next page). Lesions with a red component carry the highest potential for being premalignant or becoming malignant. Some dentists use additional technologies to look for or characterize suspicious lesions (known as diagnostic adjuncts). It is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis for all such lesions that raise suspicion.

     

     

  • Home
  • Patient Information
  • Procedures
  • Meet Us
  • Referring Doctors
  • Patient Portal
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Middletown NJ • Holmdel NJ • Shrewsbury NJ • Lincroft NJ • Red Bank NJ
Two River Area NJ • Tinton Falls NJ • Rumson NJ • Hazlet NJ • Fair Haven NJ
Little Silver NJ • Long Branch NJ • Colts Neck NJ

Lincroft Oral Surgery • Address: 515 Newman Springs Rd Lincroft NJ 07738 • Phone: Lincroft Oral Surgery Phone Number (732) 842-5915 • Fax: (866) 290-6363
Alliance Oral Surgery • Address: 79 Oak Hill Road Middletown NJ 07701 • Phone: Alliance Oral Surgery Phone Number (732) 842-3100 • Fax: (866) 290-6363

Dental Website Design by PBHS © 2023