Symptom 2: Raised or Thickened Areas
While erythroplakia might initially manifest as flat red patches, as time progresses, a concerning transformation might occur. Some individuals report noticing raised or thickened regions within these patches. These aren’t merely textural changes; they are significant evolutions of the condition, signaling an escalation in its severity.
These elevated areas stand out, not just in appearance but also in feel. As one touches or runs a tongue over them, the difference between the raised erythroplakia patches and the surrounding healthy tissue is evident. The heightened regions might also be more sensitive than the flat patches, responding more pronouncedly to touch, temperature, or spicy foods.
This progression, from a flat patch to a raised one, also underscores the unpredictable nature of erythroplakia. While some might experience this symptom, others might not. However, the emergence of raised areas is a clear indication that the condition is advancing and might be edging closer to malignancy.
Another notable aspect of these raised patches is that they might appear more prominently in certain areas of the mouth, such as the tongue’s sides or the mouth’s floor. Therefore, while checking for erythroplakia, these regions demand special attention. (2)
