The Spectrum of Histological Findings in Oral Biopsies

Aim: To undertake a retrospective analysis of the use of a diagnostic pathology service, to determine the source of oral biopsies submitted for histological analysis, and to examine the range and frequencies of histologically diagnosed oral lesions in an Irish population. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on all oral biopsies submitted for histological analysis to an oral and maxillofacial diagnostic pathology service from June to December 2015. Results: In total 724 oral biopsies were submitted. The majority of diagnoses were benign (80.3%) and the remaining diagnoses were made up of malignancies (6.7%) and potentially malignant disorders (PMDs), histologically characterised by epithelial dysplasia (13%). Less than 1% of biopsies were submitted from general dentists in primary care. Conclusion: This study showed that oral biopsies are not submitted from the primary care setting, but rather from hospital-based specialist units or referral-based specialist practitioners. There was a broad range of histological diagnoses, the majority of which were benign.