Precancerous Conditions

The following oral disorders have a risk of converting into oral cancer

Leukoplakia

Literally means “a white patch”. This is one of the most commonly found tobacco-related oral lesions. It may be present as uniformly white and flat patches with shallow surface cracks (homogeneous leukoplakia), or as mixed, red and white lesions, or with finger-like projections (non-homogeneous)

Erythroplakia

A fiery red patch that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other definable disease. This is a relatively uncommon lesion but with the highest risk of transforming into cancer.

Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF)

Literally means “a white patch”. This is one of the most commonly found tobacco-related oral lesions. It may be present as uniformly white and flat patches with shallow surface cracks (homogeneous leukoplakia), or as mixed, red and white lesions, or with finger-like projections (non-homogeneous)

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP)

OLP is an autoimmune disorder (a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells). It most commonly presents as fine white lines or striae (Wickham’s striae), in a network or annular pattern, also an important diagnostic feature.

Oral lichenoid lesion (OLL)

OLP is an autoimmune disorder (a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells). It most commonly presents as fine white lines or striae (Wickham’s striae), in a network or annular pattern, also an important diagnostic feature.

Smoker’s palate

As the name suggests, this lesion is seen on the palate of smokers. An initial redness is followed by greyish white mucosa, along with multiple red dots (representing openings of the minor salivary glands).

Precancerous Conditions