Epidemiological and clinical analysis of potentially malignant disorders

Potentially malignant diseases of the oral mucosa that have a risk of conversion to oral squamous cell carcinoma, are described as precancer, premalignant, intraepithelial neoplasia, and potentially malignant disorders. The etiology includes oral habits associated with tobacco, heavy alcohol, betel nut chewing, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Diagnosis of OPLs typically relies on visual observation by experienced practitioners followed by biopsy and analysis under a microscope. The main purpose of this study was epidemiological and clinical analysis of patients with oral premalignant lesions diagnosed and treated in our collaborative healthcare structures. Oral premalignant lesions were more common in men than women. Buccal mucosa was the most common location of oral premalignant lesions in our study (31.03%), followed by floor of the mouth (22.4%). Homogenous leukoplakia was the most common type of leukoplakia (present in 44.8% of patients), followed by lichen planus (25.8%). The degree of dysplasia was associated with the type of oral premalignant lesions but not significantly with their size.