Spectrum of Premalignant and Malignant Oral and Oropharyngeal Lesions in a Tertiary Care Hospital of the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Abstract

Background: Cancer of the oral cavity accounts for the highest number of cases in men in India and is the second most common cancer in females in India. The burden of oral premalignant and malignant lesions is escalating in our nation. Aim: To assess the spectrum of oral and oropharyngeal premalignant and malignant lesions in our region based on histopathological findings. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 91 biopsies of oral and oropharyngeal premalignant and malignant lesions was undertaken. The neoplasms were categorised on the basis of World Health Organization classification. Result: Out of a total of 147 cases of oral and oropharyngeal biopsies received over a four-year duration, 91 cases showed either premalignant, benign or malignant change. 36 lesions (24.48%) were premalignant and 47(31.9%) were malignant. Leukoplakia was the most common premalignant lesion and Well-differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant lesion encountered in our study. Conclusion: A knowledge of premalignant lesions in the region would facilitate preventive programs to reduce the malignant transformation and a high burden of oral and oropharyngeal cancers in the area indicates an urgency of introducing community based screening modalities for early detection of these cancers and providing cost effective management to those with poor socio-economic status.