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Tuberculosis of the oral region is rare, estimated to account for less than 0.1% of all cases of tuberculosis. Almost all cases of oral tuberculosis are secondary to pulmonary lesions. A case of primary tuberculosis in the submucosa of the upper mucolabial-buccal fold is reported. The patient was a 69-year-old man who presented with a mass in the submucosa of the upper mucolabial-buccal fold on the right side. The mass was excised and was diagnosed histopathologically as tuberculous granuloma. Screening tests were performed to detect lesions in other areas, but no abnormal findings were obtained. Examination of the sputum was also negative. The patient has remained healthy without recurrence for 9 months postoperatively.

The overall incidence of tuberculosis in recent years has markedly decreased through the development of excellent chemotherapeutic agents, and the improvement of public health systems and living standards. Consequently, oral tuberculosis is now rarely encountered.However, when oral tuberculosis develops, it is frequently accompanied by ulceration. Differential diagnosis from malignant tumors is therefore often difficult. The patient desclibed here is a 59-year-old man with ulceration in the maxillary gingiva. Histopathological examination, performed due to suspicion of a malignant tumor, indicated a diagnosis of gingival tuberculosis. Additional examinations also revealed active pulmonary tuberculosis and esophageal cancer.

Oral tuberculosis of primary infection is relatively rare and is considered to be secondary infection from pulmonary disease.A 66-year-old male with left mandibular tuberculosis who received cancer therapy of the same region (T1N1M0) one year ago as reported.This case was thought that immune response of the oral mucose was decreased by surgical operation and radiotherapy. So it may occur as infection from active pulmonary tuberculosis.Appearance of oral cancer and oral tuberculosis in the same region was thought very rare.

A rare case of oral tuberculosis seen in a 47 year-old female is described. The slightly hard mass occured in the mucobuccal fold corresponding to the upper left molar and premolar region was found by intraoral examinations.Histological examination revealed tuberculous granuloma.The patient was given antituberculous drugs and the mass was resected. The patient is well without recurrence 33 months after operation.