The surface cell structure of oral carcinoma: a scanning electron microscope study of 32 cases

Biopsies of 32 cases of oral carcinoma were studied by histology and by scanning electron microscopy. The surface morphology of the lining epithelium and of individual cells was often bizarre and showed varying differentiation; polymorphism was characteristic in both cell forms and sizes. These observations indicate that SEM may be helpful for the early diagnosis of changes in the oral mucosa. Findings were compared to the surface cell ultrastructure of oral benign and precancerous lesions.