Erythroplasia
(Erythroplakia)
Clinical features
– Red velvety patch, usually level with or depressed below surrounding mucosa, commonly on soft palate or floor or mouth.
Incidence
– Uncommon: mainly seen in elderly males.
– It is much less common than leukoplakia, but far more likely to be dysplastic or malignant.
Aetiology
– See predisposing factors for carcinoma.
Diagnosis
– Biopsy for epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma.
– Differentiate from inflammatory and atrophic lesions, e.g. in deficiency anaemias, geographic tongue, lichen planus.
Management
– Excise, but the prognosis is often poor.
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