Avaliação clínica e histopatológica e hábitos associados ao surgimento de leucoplasias e eritroplasias orais / Clinical and histopathological evaluation and habits associated with the onset of oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia

Objective: This research aims to establish the prevalence, factors associated with the onset, and clinical and histopathological features of oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia, so that these data can contribute to the prevention of these lesions and, consequently, of oral cancer. Material and method: A retrospective study was conducted at a reference service of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) from 2000 to 2012. To verify the association of variables, Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test (p ≤ 0.05) were used. Results: Among 6,560 investigated records, 54 cases were selected, of which 44.4% were male and 55.6% female, with mean age of 56.93 years. Regarding habits, 72.2% were smokers and 25% were alcohol users; 17.9% showed association of both habits. Oral leukoplakia lesions were the most prevalent (0.65%) and oral erythroplakia showed greater association with malignancy in the histopathological presentation (p = 0.001). Most lesions showed no symptoms (p = 0.004). The most frequent was oral leukoplakia in smoking women, with mean age of 57 years. Conclusion: Knowledge of associated factors and clinical characteristics of oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia is essential for establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment...

Objetivo: Esta pesquisa objetiva estabelecer a prevalência, os fatores associados ao surgimento e as características clínicas e histopatológicas das leucoplasias e eritroplasias orais, a fim de que estes dados possam contribuir na estratégia de prevenção ao desenvolvimento dessas lesões e, consequentemente, do câncer oral. Material e método: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo em um serviço de referência da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) no período de 2000 a 2012. Para verificar a associação das variáveis foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado e o exato de Fisher (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: Foram investigados 6.560 prontuários, tendo sido selecionados 54 casos, dos quais 44,4% do sexo masculino e 55,6% do feminino, com idade média de 56,93 anos. Com relação aos hábitos, 72,2% eram fumantes e 25% usuários de álcool, sendo que 17,9% exibiam associação dos dois hábitos. As leucoplasias orais foram as lesões mais prevalentes (0,65%), e as eritroplasias orais apresentaram maior associação com apresentação maligna no diagnóstico histopatológico (p = 0,001). A maioria das lesões não apresentou sintomatologia (p = 0,004). A leucoplasia oral foi mais frequente em mulheres fumantes com média de idade de 57 anos. Conclusão: O conhecimento dos fatores associados e das características clínicas das eritroplasias e leucoplasias orais é essencial para o estabelecimento do correto diagnóstico e tratamento...

[Leukoplakia and erythroplakia--two orale precursor lesions]. / Leukoplakie und Erythroplakie--Zwei orale Präkursorläsionen.

The oral leukoplakia/erythroplakia is one of the most common epithelial precursor lesions of the oral squamous cell carcinoma. A clinical distinction is drawn between homogeneous and non-homogeneous as well as proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and erythroplakia. Due to the fact that the oral squamous cell carcinoma has a poor prognosis it is very important to decrease morbidity and mortality by systematic primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of the oral leukoplakia/erythroplakia. On the basis of histological classification systems the risk of malignant transformation can be evaluated, a defined therapy can be induced and the prognosis can be derived.

[Early detection and prevention of carcinomas of the oral cavity and phraynx]. / Weisse Flecken in der Mundschleimhaut. Harmlose Läsion oder Präkanzerose?

The stepwise development of cancer of the head and neck over a period of several decades opens up a wide window of preventive intervention options. Although chemoprevention (for example with retinoids and COX-2 inhibitors) is possible, in terms of side effects and long-term outcomes it is not as successful as was hoped. Currently, natural substances, which in particular are characterized by an absence of side effects, are undergoing clinical trials.

Oral cancer. Practical prevention and early detection for the dental team.

Approximately 2,000 patients a year are diagnosed with oral cancer in New York State. In an effort to control this deadly disease, Governor George Pataki has taken a leadership role in the United States by mandating and funding training for dentists in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer. The purpose of this article is to highlight the epidemiology of oral cancer, to show how the dental profession can contribute to the health of the citizens of New York State, and to provide practical guidelines for both tobacco cessation intervention and utilization of existing technology for the early detection of oral cancer and precancerous conditions in the general dental practice setting.

Annual screening for oral cancer and precancer by invitation to 60-year-old residents of a city in Japan.

Since 1986, annual screening for oral cancer and precancer by postal invitation has been undertaken among 60-year-old residents of Tokoname city, Japan. Clinical examination of the oral soft tissues is performed by groups of four different, specially trained general dental practitioners in the city health centre on one day each year. Following screening each subject receives an individual consultation with an oral medicine specialist. Individuals considered to need full diagnostic follow up or treatment are advised to attend a secondary care referral facility. Between 1986 and 1993, 802 out of 5187 eligible residents (15.5 per cent) were screened of whom 38 (4.7 per cent) were designated by the screeners as positive for oral cancer, erythroplakia, leukoplakia, lichen planus or chronic candidosis. Of these, 32 were referred and 25 attended for follow up examination in hospital departments by specialists with full diagnostic back up facilities. Twenty subjects were confirmed as having a potentially malignant lesion. For these referred patients only, the proportion of correct decisions by the screeners out of all oral cancer/precancer screening decisions was 81 per cent. Positive and negative predictive values for those attending for follow up were 0.80 and 0.82 respectively. Ways of improving the effectiveness and adequacy of the programme are considered.