these ulcers can then cause more worrying issues such as loss of eye sight and life long damage. individuals with sjögren's syndrome have a slightly increased risk of developing non-hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer. other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, raynaud's phenomenon, kidney problems, underactive thyroid gland and irritable bowel syndrome have been linked to sjogren's syndrome inflammatory angioedema neoplastic oral cancer on the tongue. oral cancer may occur on the lips, tongue, gums, floor of the mouth or inside the cheeks. the majority of cancers of the mouth are squamous cell carcinoma. oral cancers are usually painless in the initial stages or may appear like an ulcer. causes of oral cancer include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to sunlight (lip cancer), chewing tobacco, infection with human papillomavirus, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. the earlier the oral cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances for full recovery. if you have a suspicious mass or ulcer on the mouth which has been persistent, then you should always get a dentist to look at it. diagnosis is usually made with a biopsy and the treatment depends on the exact type of cancer, where it is situated, and extent of spreading. unknown there are many oral and maxillofacial pathologies which are not fully understood. burning mouth syndrome (bms) is a disorder where there is a burning sensation in the mouth that has no identifiable medical or dental cause. the disorder can affect anyone but tends to occur most often in middle aged women. bms has been hypothesized to be linked to a variety of factors such as the menopause, dry mouth (xerostomia) and allergies. bms usually lasts for several years before disappearing for unknown reasons. other features of this disorder include anxiety, depression and social isolation. there is no cure for this disorder and treatment includes use of hydrating agents, pain medications, vitamin supplements or the usage of antidepressants. 2 minor aphthae on the lower labial mucosa aphthous stomatitis is a condition where ulcers (canker sores) appear on the inside of the mouth, lips and on tongue. most small canker sores disappear within 10–14 days. canker sores are most common in young and middle aged individuals. sometimes individuals with allergies are more prone to these sores. besides an awkward sensation, these sores can also cause pain or tingling or a burning sensation. unlike herpes sores, canker sores are always found inside the mouth and are usually less painful. good oral hygiene does help but sometime one may have to use a topical corticosteroid. geographic tongue migratory stomatitis is a condition that involves the tongue and other oral mucosa. the common migratory glossitis (geographic tongue) affects the anterior two thirds of the dorsal and lateral tongue mucosa of 1% to 2.5% of the population, with one report of up to 12.7% of the population. the tongue is often fissured, especially. in elderly individuals. in the american population, a lower prevalence was reported among mexican americans (compared with caucasians and african americans) and cigarette smokers. when other oral mucosa, beside the dorsal and lateral tongue, are involved, the term migratory stomatitis (or ectopic geographic tongue) is preferred. in this condition, lesions infrequently involve also the ventral tongue and buccal or labial mucosa. they are rarely reported on the soft palate and floor of the mouth. specialty occupationnamesoral and maxillofacial pathologist, oral pathologistoccupation typespecialtyactivity sectorspathology, dentistry, medicinespecialtygastroenterologydescriptioneducation requiredvaries. typically dental degree followed by specialist training oral and maxillofacial pathology, previously termed oral pathology, is a speciality involved with the diagnosis and study of the causes and effects of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions (i.e. the mouth, the jaws and the face). it can be considered a speciality of dentistry and pathology. oral pathology is a closely allied speciality with oral and maxillofacial surgery and oral medicine. the clinical evaluation and diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases are in the scope of oral & maxillofacial pathology specialists and oral medicine practitioners, both disciplines of dentistry. when a microscopic evaluation is needed, a biopsy is taken, and microscopically observed by a pathologist. the american dental association uses the term oral and maxillofacial pathology, and describes it as "the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. it is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases." in some parts of the world, oral and maxillofacial pathologists take on responsibilities in forensic odontology. united kingdom there are approximately 30 consultant oral and maxillofacial pathologists in the uk. a dental degree is mandatory, but a medical degree is not. the shortest pathway to becoming an oral pathologist in the uk is completion of 2 years' general professional training and then 5 years in a diagnostic histopathology training course. after passing the required royal college of pathologists exams and gaining a certificate of completion of specialist training, the trainee is entitled to apply for registration as a specialist. many oral and maxillofacial pathologists in the uk are clinical academics, having undertaken a phd either prior to or during training. generally, oral and maxillofacial pathologists in the uk are employed by dental or medical schools and undertake their clinical work at university hospital departments. new zealand there are 5 practising oral pathologists in new zealand (as of may 2013). oral pathologists in new zealand also take part in forensic evaluations.