Malignant development in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders detected through nationwide screening: Outcomes of 5‐year follow‐up at a single hospital

Malignant development in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders detected through nationwide screening: Outcomes of 5‐year follow‐up at a single hospital:

Abstract

Background

Although survival rate and quality of life are improved if patients with oral carcinoma can be detected early, however, such lesions are usually asymptomatic; therefore, it is hard to raise awareness. Screening has proved to be cost‐effective for early detection.

Methods

Sixty‐two patients with oral carcinomas and 555 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) who were detected through screening were examined the relationship between clinicopathological features and follow‐up outcomes.

Results

The 5‐year cumulative cancer‐free interval rate was 94.1%, and the annual malignant transformation rate was 1.16%. The rate of interval carcinoma development from Candida hyperplasia, oral submucous fibrosis, homogeneous leukoplakia, non‐homogenous leukoplakia, and verrucous hyperplasia, was 13.6%, 5.7%, 4.6%, 12.1%, and 21.3%, respectively. Significant independent risk factors for interval carcinoma development were heavy betel quid chewing, verrucous hyperplasia, and surgery refusal.

Conclusions

Well‐designed risk assessment, treatment, and surveillance program could lead to earlier cancer detection and thereby reduce mortality and morbidity.