Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Lesions seen inside the mouth can sometimes be associated with diseases associated with other systems of the body.

These lesions thus represent important indicators of active underlying disease process or indicate the onset of a systemic disease.

Recognition of such lesions can facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment of underlying systemic disease that can result in improvement in patient quality of life.

• Immune-Mediated Diseases- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic Sclerosis
• Gastrointestinal Disorders- Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Gardner Syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, Cowden Syndrome
• Granulomatous Diseases- Wegener Granulomatosis, Sarcoidosis, Orofacial Granulomatosis
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
• Hematologic Disorders- Anemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Pernicious Anemia, thalassemia
• Hematologic Malignancies- Lymphomas, Leukemias Tumors of the head
• Vesiculobullous diseases - Pemphigus, Pemphigoid
• Metastatic Solid Tumors -Advanced solid cancers (e.g., kidney, breast, prostate, lung) have the potential to metastasize to the mouth, presenting with a wide range of possible signs and symptoms.

How are oral lesions associated with systemic diseases managed?

Adequate systemic management of disease often (but not always) results in resolution of oral conditions

Sometimes, oral lesions are managed separately using topical therapies.

Management typically requires careful and close collaboration with other medical specialists for appropriate coordination of care and follow-up of these patients.