Tumors of the Oral Mucous Membrane

Abstract

Except for epithelial tumors arising from aberrant salivary glands and for growths involving epithelial remnants concerned in the development of the teeth, practically all of the benign and malignant oral-epithelial tumors are derived from the lining cells of the mucous membrane and are epidermoid in character. The benign epithelial growths usually arise in areas of irritation and take the form of a thickening of the mucous membrane, leukoplakia, or of papilloma appearing in such a thickened area, so-called verrucous leukoplakia. Either form of leukoplakia may be followed by the appearance of ulceration and carcinoma. One-fifth of all cases of oral carcinoma will show one or more areas of leukoplakia in the region of the tumor or elsewhere in the mouth. Ulceration without clinical evidence of overgrowth is also a frequent starting point for oral cancer. In some instances the ulceration is syphilitic rather than traumatic.