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Soft-palate pigmentation in lung disease, including cancer
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
|June 1, 1976
Summary
Soft-palate pigmentation may indicate lung cancer risk in patients with pulmonary disease. Further investigation is needed to confirm this oral finding as a potential predictor of lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Soft-palate pigmentation has been observed in patients with pulmonary disease.
- A notable proportion of these patients had diagnosed or suspected bronchogenic carcinoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of soft-palate pigmentation as an early indicator of lung cancer.
- To highlight the need for further research into this association.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of patients with soft-palate pigmentation and pulmonary disease.
- Initial evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in a small cohort.
- Review of clinical presentation, including finger clubbing.
Main Results:
- One patient with soft-palate pigmentation and an undiagnosed pulmonary issue presented with elevated CEA levels (10.2 ng./ml) and finger clubbing.
- Two patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had normal CEA levels (5.5 and 5.6 ng./ml).
Conclusions:
- Soft-palate pigmentation in patients with lung disease warrants suspicion for cancer until definitively ruled out.
- Further prospective studies and a registry are recommended to validate this association and evaluate ACTH and plasma zinc levels.