Oral potentially malignant disorders: A comprehensive review on clinical aspects and management

Abstract

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) include a group of conditions that affect the oral mucosa with an increased risk of malignancy. During their evolution visible changes may be found in the colour or in the thickness of the oral mucosa and these changes can be detected during an oral examination. Their clinical presentations are diverse and their natural history is not well described. Oral leukoplakia is the most commonly encountered OPMD in clinical practice. Use of optical fluorescence imaging or staining with toluidine blue may increase the number of lesions detected compared to oral visual examination alone and may increase border distinction at a subjective level. When stratifying their risk consideration is given to the presence of red areas, size exceeding 200 mm², presence of lichenoid features and a higher grade of dysplasia in the pathology report. Up to a third of OPMDs may transform to squamous cell carcinomas.

Keywords: Erythroplakia; Leukoplakia; Lichen planus; Oral potentially malignant disorders; Submucous fibrosis.