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Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies
Published on: August 11, 2023
Recognition of oral potentially malignant disorders and transformation to oral cancer
Marianne Vail1, Sean Robinson, Heather Condon
1In the PA program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Marianne Vail is an assistant professor and Sean Robinson is an assistant professor and director of academic curriculum. Heather Condon practices at Associates in Otolaryngology in Alexandria, Va. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
Oral potentially malignant disorders refer to oral mucosal disorders with increased risk for malignant transformation, primarily to oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are the most common of these disorders, but others have been identified. Transformation rates to oral cancer vary based on multiple factors. Healthcare providers should be aware of risk factors and clinical manifestations of these disorders and should intervene early to monitor and/or treat them to reduce the potential for malignant transformation.
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