[Changes in oral mucosa and tumors in elderly patients]

Intraoral and perioral tissues demonstrate exemplary age-related atrophic changes that are due to endogenous factors, as well as to exogenic damage. Age-related physiological changes in intraoral mucosa, salivary glands, tongue, musculature, and the nerve system are discussed. Pathological changes in the mucosa, especially the different types of leukoplakia are demonstrated; they play a crucial role in the early diagnosis of intraoral cancer. The development of intraoral cancer is very much related with age. Age-related changes of oral mucosa increase the risk of cancer, and the risk is further increased by the long-term influence of exogenic damages. Surgery is the treatment of choice, especially in the elderly patient, in whom quality of life must be maintained as much as possible. The prognosis of intraoral cancer is mainly influenced by the size of the tumor at treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis and prophylaxis, which is often neglected in elderly patients, may improve this situation.