| Abstract [eng] |
Oral potentially malignant disorders are a group of conditions characterized by changes in the oral mucosa that have the potential to transform into oral cancer if left untreated. The aim of this review is to gather and summarize the most recent data regarding the clinical manifestations, etiology, risk factors, currently available diagnostic methods and treatments of precancerous lesions in oral cavity. Electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) were searched from 2018 to 2024. Studies assessing the malignant transformation rates of oral leukoplakia, erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia, and chronic hyperplastic candidosis/candidal leukoplakia were identified. Among the 812 identified articles, 65 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia appeared to be the most prevalent oral potentially malignant disorders. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a rare lesion but it carries a high risk of progression into oral cancer. Erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia lesions present a higher incidence of carcinomatous transformation than leukoplakia lesions. Oral chronic hyperplastic candidiasis is an uncommon oral potentially malignant disorder. The rate of malignant transformation of this lesion is lower than that of erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and comparable to that of oral leukoplakia. The transition from normal to premalignant or dysplastic mucosa, and eventually to malignancy, involves a complex interaction between genetics, immune system function, and exposure to carcinogens like betel quid, tobacco, alcohol, and human papillomavirus. Low-risk epithelial dysplasias need careful monitoring, with biopsies if any changes are seen. High-risk dysplastic lesions require surgery, followed by thorough patient follow-up. |
