Finding a Mass Within the Oral Cavity: What Are the Common Causes and How Should A GP Manage them?

ABSTRACT

@#A 24-year-old male presented with worsening right buccal pain and numbness of the anterior right tip of the tongue. A fixed, hard, non-tender mass was found on the right floor of the mouth. Subsequently, maxillofacial surgery evaluation, MRI scan of the head and neck, and biopsy confirmed a low-grade hyalinising clear cellcarcinoma, likely of salivary gland origin. This clinical encounter led to a review for the variety of masses that can occur in each site in the oral cavity and the commonmasses that may present to a GP. A suggested management approach is presented. In addition,common salivary gland pathologies are highlighted, andsalivary gland tumours as was present in this patient are further discussed.