Oral potentially malignant disorders in older adults: A review

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) have been associated with an increased risk and prevalence of cancers in the oral cavity and the lips. This literature review presents an overview of these disorders, based on their clinical features. However, histological sections are needed for a definitive diagnosis. A group of lesions under the term ‘Oral potentially malignant disorders’ were considered, including leukoplakia, erythroplakia, proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, actinic keratosis, palatal lesions in reverse smokers, oral lupus erythematosus, dyskeratosis congenita, oral lichenoid lesions and oral graft-versus-host disease.

In this review, clinical characteristics, images, differential diagnoses, etiology, prognosis, treatment as well as prevalence are considered. Oral leukoplakia [1], oral erythroplakia [2], proliferative verrucous leukoplakia [3], oral lichen planus [4] and actinic keratosis [5] are more common in middle-aged and older adults, when reported. Further studies are needed on the efficacy of other treatments than excisional biopsy, such as CO₂ laser, cryotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Authors recommend continuing education and other forms of oral health literacy for practicing oral healthcare professionals to recognize, diagnose and treat OPMDs as early as possible to facilitate the recognition, prevention and management of oral potentially malignant disorders and cancer.