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How do you tell difference between Oral Lichen Planus and oral cancer?

Posted by metta @metta, Jan 28 6:23pm

I've had OLP for a couple of years with one big flare up where I could hardly open my mouth. White patches everywhere. It's better, but there is constantly what looks like a white patch/sore on the inside of my right cheek that doesn't want to heal. I use Oragel mouth sore mouth wash and Triamcinolone Acetonide paste daily for treatment. How do I know if it's OLP or mouth cancer?

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jan 29 9:08am

Hi @metta, the only way you’ll know for sure if the chronically sore area in your mouth is OLP or if it is oral cancer is to have a biopsy taken and sent for analysis. The pathologist will be able to inspect the cells under a microscope to differentiate.
It’s always a concern when there is a lesion in the mouth that doesn’t heal. So it’s just better to have to looked at by your dentist or GP. They can refer you to an oral surgeon for the biopsy.

Have you been seen by your dentist recently?

REPLY
suzie13100 | @suzie13100 | Mar 18 5:08am

I had lichen planus in my right cheek for many years. Became concerned last year as my inner cheek seemed to be thickening. I had a biopsy which confirmed cancer and which had spread to my jawbone.
I think you just need to do a biopsy every so often to check for cancer.
Obviously better to catch it early than have it spread to the bone.....

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 28 11:52am
In reply to @suzie13100 "I had lichen planus in my right cheek for many years. Became concerned last year as..." + (show)
@suzie13100

I had lichen planus in my right cheek for many years. Became concerned last year as my inner cheek seemed to be thickening. I had a biopsy which confirmed cancer and which had spread to my jawbone.
I think you just need to do a biopsy every so often to check for cancer.
Obviously better to catch it early than have it spread to the bone.....

Jump to this post

@suzie13100, I'm sorry to read that cancer was discovered only once it had spread to the jawbone. I agree that close monitor can help catch the change to cancer at an early stage.

What treatments did you have? Are you currently in treatment?

REPLY
1 reply
suzie13100 | @suzie13100 | Mar 28 12:30pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@suzie13100, I'm sorry to read that cancer was discovered only once it had spread to the..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@suzie13100, I'm sorry to read that cancer was discovered only once it had spread to the jawbone. I agree that close monitor can help catch the change to cancer at an early stage.

What treatments did you have? Are you currently in treatment?

Jump to this post

Hello
I had a major op - the surgeon removed part of my jaw (the tumour was 2cm in diameter, so 4cm taken out in total.). A piece of fibula was put into my mouth in its place. Then 30 sessions of radiotherapy and six of chemo. As of January, I am in remission.
PETscan due in May.
PS I live in France and all the treatments took place in Marseille.

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