buccal carcinoma

Last reviewed 01/2018

Incidence:

  • more common in India than in the UK, presumably related to habit of chewing betel nuts

Nature:

  • exophytic - usually, at the oral commissure
  • ulcerative - usually, posterior
  • verrucous

Management of exophytic and verrucous lesions:

  • surgery is the treatment of choice as good clearance may be achieved
  • radiotherapy may make verrucous lesions anaplastic
  • skin grafting may be necessary for large lesins

Management of ulcerative lesions:

  • radiotherapy +/- surgery; such lesions often invade the pterygoid region making adequate clearance impossible