Soft Tissue Lesions

Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Soft Tissue Lesions

Module 8


Reduce deaths from skin, oral, and pharyngeal cancers:

•Early detection

•Appropriate treatment

•Referral


Skin Cancer FactsSkin Cancer Facts

• Most common of all cancer types

• Over 1,000,000 diagnosed yearly in the United States

• 2 main types:

– Melanoma

– Nonmelanoma


MelanomaMelanoma

• Account for over 60% of skin cancer deaths

• Always treatable if caught soon enough


NonmelanomaNonmelanoma

• Basal cell

• Squamous cell

• Rarely spread to other parts of the body

• Less likely than melanoma to be fatal


Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer FactsOral and Pharyngeal Cancer Facts

• 30,000 diagnosed yearly in the United States

• More than 25% with oral cancer will die

• Claims almost as many lives as melanoma


Soft Tissue LesionSoft Tissue Lesion

• Area of abnormal-appearing skin or mucosa

• Vary in color, texture, and form

– Present at birth—Birthmark

– Infection—Wart or acne

– Allergic reaction—Hives

– Injury—Blister or scar



Regular BorderRegular Border


Irregular BorderIrregular Border



Smooth MarginSmooth Margin


Raised MarginRaised Margin



Red and White LesionRed and White Lesion


White LesionWhite Lesion


Yellow LesionYellow Lesion


Blue LesionBlue Lesion



Discrete ConfigurationDiscrete Configuration


Grouped ConfigurationGrouped Configuration


Confluent ConfigurationConfluent Configuration


Linear ConfigurationLinear Configuration



MaculeMacule



PatchPatch



PapulePapule


PlaquePlaque


NoduleNodule


WhealWheal



VesicleVesicle


BullaBulla


PustulePustule



Superficial UlcerSuperficial Ulcer


Deep UlcerDeep Ulcer



CrackCrack


FissureFissure


Lesion DescriptionsLesion Descriptions

• Characteristics

– Anatomic location

– Border traits

– Color

– Configuration

– Dimensions


Descriptions (Cont’d)Descriptions (Cont’d)

• Primary types

– Flat

– Elevated

– Fluid-filled

– Depressed


Formula for DescribingFormula for Describing

A—Anatomic location

B—Border

C—Color and configuration

D—Dimension

T—Type


Tools for Oral Cancer DetectionTools for Oral Cancer Detection

• Head and neck examination

• Oral examination

• Patient history

• Alcohol and tobacco use


Dental Professional’s Role for Patients Who Use Tobacco and AlcoholDental Professional’s Role for Patients Who Use Tobacco and Alcohol

• Examine

• Ensure

• Educate

• Identify

• Refer

• Follow up


Smoking Cessation CounselingSmoking Cessation Counseling

• Ask

• Advise

• Refer

• Quit lines

– 1-800-QUIT- NOW (US Dept of Health and Human Services)

– 1-877-44U-QUIT (National Cancer Institute)

Health & Medicine

Soft Tissue Lesions