Pathology · single question
A 23-year-old male has a white edematous lesion on the left buccal mucosa that disappears when the mucosa is stretched. What is the diagnosis?
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Correct answer: C. Squamous cell carcinoma
- A. Incorrect. Lichen planus striae persist when stretched and do not disappear.
- B. Incorrect. SCC is indurated, irregular, and never disappears with stretching.
- C. Correct. Leukoedema is a benign variation of normal appearing as filmy, gray-white opalescence on buccal mucosa that disappears or lessens when stretched. It is more common in African Americans and is a normal anatomic variant.
- D. Incorrect. White sponge nevus is hereditary and does not disappear with stretching.
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