Clinical Aspects of Oral Cancer and Potentially Malignant Disorders with Special Relevance to South Asia

Early identification of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is utmost important to minimise oral cancer incidence as most oral cancers develop from OPMDs. Leucoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) are the most common OPMDs encountered. Erythroplakia is rare but is more serious as it has a very high malignant transformation rate. Clinical presentation of OPMDs can vary according to the type of the disorder as well as with the aetiological agents. OSMF is much prevalent in South and South Asian countries whereas leucoplakia is prevalent all over the world but with differences in clinical presentation. Identification of OPMD with clinical features at its early change is challenging and may require histopathology through a biopsy for confirmation. This review provides clinical descriptions of the wide range of OPMDs encountered in the oral cavity with emphasis on changes in clinical presentation in different populations.