Ill fitting dentures and jagged fractured teeth causing chronic mucosal irritation have also been included in the genesis of oral carcinoma. Dietary deficiencies such as iron deficient anemia and riboflavin deficiency have been noted. Even recurrent herpes stomatitis type-I has been observed in patients with oral carcinoma. Finally, enviromnental carcinogens such as sulfa, petroleum products, and epoxy resins are suspect in head and neck carcinoma. The remainder of the upper aerodigestive tract, including the pharynx, is also covered by non-keratinizing squamous epithelium.
Premalignant lesions demonstrate hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia and dysplasia.
The terms leukoplakia and erythroplakia are gross descriptions and not histologic diagnoses. B. Parameters of prognosis Tumor stage is of primary importance in determining treatment options and the prognosis of head and neck carcinoma. The TNM system is used. The T signifies the tumor size, N the status of the neck lymph nodes, and M the presence or absence of distant metastatic disease. While useful, tumor differentiation is not as important a prognostic factor.