Oral epithelial dysplasia – A master of disguise

Dr. Gerber completed his Bachelor of Dentistry from Latin University, Costa Rica. 2013
Specialist in Pathology and Oral Medicine, University of Valparaíso, Chile. 2018
Currently, he is a resident of the Master’s program in Stomatopathology at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, and a Professor of Oral Pathology at Latin University, Costa Rica.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is often preluded by silent superficial changes related to epithelial dysplastic processes led by mutations. Ignoring these changes could delay the correct diagnosis of potentially malignant lesions, thus allowing a feared malignant transformation.
So, let’s take a look at this clinical case, highlighting the importance of:
• Cautiously studying the lesion prior to biopsy
• Using all possible clinical data when analyzing the sample under a microscope
• Performing a correct clinicopathological correlation
• Carefully observing possible early changes of oral epithelial dysplasia
• Making the patient understand the need to stay under control over time