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Medical Author:

Edmond A Hooker, MD, DrPH

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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You should seek medical attention if any of the following occur:

• It is your first episode and you are not sure about the diagnosis.



• The pain worsens and you cannot control it.



• You have diarrhea. This may indicate you are having a systemic problem like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.



• You have ulcers in places other than the mouth. This may indicate that you have a disease called Behçet 's syndrome or possibly a sexually transmitted disease.



• Lesions persist beyond three weeks.



• Lesions lasting over three weeks raise the concern for oral cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease).



• Factors that may increase the risk of oral cancer include smoking, tobacco chewing, and use of alcohol.

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