Focal Epithelial Hyperplasia

The lesion developed in 19 Indians, of whom 15 were Navajo Indian children from the Gallup, NM area. The chief morphologic change noted was an acanthosis of discrete segments of oral epithelium and a ductal hyperplasia with secondary retention phenomena involving the minor salivary glands underlying areas of epithelial change. No recognizable etiologic factor or factors have been identified, although a communicable agent is being considered. The possibility of a genetic basis for the lesion has been suggested. Tables. Footnotes. Photos. Bibliography.