Tumours and Tumour-like Conditions of the Oral Mucosa

Abstract

The following investigation on tumours and tumour-like Iesions of the oral cavity.is based on a series of 75 cases. Most of the lesions were in patients presenting for treatment to the Dental Department of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. A smaller number were referred by dental and medical practitioners of South Australia. A review of the literature indicated little difference of opinion in respect to malignant tumours of the oral mucosa. However, as far as benign tumours and tumour-Iike lesions in this region are concerned it was apparent that a great, deal of confusion exists, particularly with regard to terminology. An attempt has therefore been made in the present investigation to arrive at a definite terminology for these lesions. For the above reasons, and as there were only two malignant lesions in the series, greater emphasis has been placed on the benign soft tissue outgrowths throughout the investigation. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the nature and relative frequency of tumours and tumour-like conditions of the oral cavity. It has already been indicated that there is a great deal of confusion regarding these conditions. Therefore it was considered that the investigation would make some contribution to knowledge in the field of Oral Surgery and Pathology. Clinical findings, together with a histological report of each case of the series were carefully recorded by the writer. Analysis of the results showed- that in excess of 75 per cent of the lesions were in the nature of fibro-epithelial or fibrous hyperplasias, most of which could be related to some form of chronic irritation. However, in addition to the 2 cases of malignancy, there were 17 cases showing some dyskeratosis, including 10 cases in females showing a peculiar form of dyskeratosis characterized by the formation of hyaline bodies in the more superficial layers of the epithelium. The only benign tumours that occurred j-n the series were two cases of papilloma. In most of the lesions, a definite diagnosis could not be made on clinical evidence alone. The investigation therefore emphasizes the importance of histological examination of all proliferative lesions of the oral mucosa.