Examination of Ulcero-Proliferative Lesions of Oropharynx and Oral Cavity- A Clinical Perspective

Abstract

 Introduction Patients often present with ulcero-proliferative lesions of the oropharynx and oral cavity in the outpatient department (OPD). These lesions have a negative impact on the patients' health, so it's critical to make an accurate diagnosis and administer the right care.  Aim of the Study: To determine the proportion of patients who exhibit different ulcero-proliferative lesions clinical characteristics in the oropharynx and oral cavity.  Patients and Methodology: This is prospective study done at Department of ENT, Guntur Medical College, spanning a period of 18 months. This study included patients with ulcero- membranous lesions in the oropharynx and oral cavity, regardless of age. This study excluded Patients who had radiation therapy soon before developing the illness and who had traumatic injuries but no infection. Detailed history including personal, family and medical history were noted. Local and general examination was done. Selected patients were subjected to investigations like routine blood investigations, gram stain, albert’s stain, KOH mount, culture and sensitivity, peripheral smear, serology, FNAC, HPE, USG, chest x ray, CT neck, MRI.  Results In the current study, men dominated women (65.69%) and the most prevalent age group participating was 41–60 years old (45.09%). The most typical symptoms of the throat were odynophagia, burning sensation, dysphagia, and throat pain. 5.9% of the patients had nose issues and 14.7% had associated ear complaints. General symptoms included fever in 10.7% of cases, weight loss in 23.5%, general weakness in 15.6% of cases, and skin lesions in 6.9% of cases. Systemic disorders such as HIV was present in 3.9%, hypertension in 25.4%, and diabetes in 34.3% of cases. Risk factors include chewing tobacco (17.6%), drinking alcohol (14.7%), smoking (43.1%), and having previously been exposed to radiation (0.9%). The tongue was the most frequently afflicted site in this study (44.1%), followed by the palate (29.4%), the buccal mucosa (15.6%), the tonsils (8.8%), the lips (7.8%), the alveolus (2.9%), and the RMT (1.9%). Neoplastic etiology accounted for 41.1% of the total etiology discovered. It was followed by inflammatory (31.3%), infectious (20.5%), and miscellaneous (6.8%) etiologies. 52.9% of patients had conservative care, 36.2% had oncosurgery team treatment through surgery, and 10.7% had radiation therapy. Of the patients with neoplastic etiology, 10.7% had radiation therapy.  Conclusion: The incidence of cancers rises in the adult population with increased habits like smoking and chewing nicotine in any form. A high degree of suspicion is required when treating oral ulcers, particularly those that are chronic. The gold standard for confirming the diagnosis is always a biopsy and a histopathological examination.