17 Kallirrois str., GR-117 43 ATHENS,
GREECE, Ôel: +30210-92 14 325, Fax: +30210-92 14 204, E-mail: stomsoc@otenet.gr
|
|
|
|
Stomatologia 2008, 65(4):155-167
Review
PREMALIGNANT LESIONS OF THE ORAL MUCOSA.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
D.D. ANDRESSAKIS, Á. MAHAIRA
SUMMARY Squamous cell carcinoma encompasses at least 90% of all oral malignancies. Oral cancer holds the eighth position in the cancer incidence ranking worldwide, with epidemiologic variations between different geographic regions. Because the 5-year survival rate is directly related to the stage of malignancy at the time of diagnosis, early detection is vital to improve the survival odds of individuals who develop the disease. Oral premalignant lesions and early stage malignancies often arise as subtle lesions and require an alert clinician with a high index of suspicion, especially if any of the risk factors are present. Invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma usually preceded by the presence of a clinically detectable premalignant lesion of the oral mucosa. A premalignant lesion is defined as a “morphologically altered tissue in witch cancer is more likely to occur than in its apparently norman counterpart”. This article focuses on relevant aspects of the more common premalignant lesions, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, lichen planus, and oral submucosal fibrosis, with regard to their malignant potential.
KEY WORDS: Premalignant lesions, Oral mucosa, Oral leukoplakia, Oral erythroplakia, Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, Oral lichen planus, Oral submucosal fibrosis.
 |
TABLE
OF CONTENTS PAST
ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE AUTHORS
