Premalignant and malignant oral mucosal lesions: Clinical and pathological findings

Abstract

The second article in this continuing medical education series discusses the clinical and histopathologic features of common premalignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity. It is imperative for dermatologists to be able to appropriately recognize suspicious lesions, determine the need to obtain a biopsy specimen, counsel, and refer patients presenting with premalignant or malignant conditions. Given the higher rates of mortality and morbidity of oral mucosal malignancies because of late diagnosis, appropriate treatment with multidisciplinary care in a timely manner is essential to patients with these neoplasms.

Keywords: adenoid cystic carcinoma; erythroplakia; mucoepidermoid carcinoma; mucosal melanoma; oral leukoplakia; oral lichen planus; oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma; proliferative verrucous leukoplakia; verrucous carcinoma.