Oral precancerous lesion and oral cancer prevention

Cha,  In-Ho

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 49(3); 2011 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2011;49(3):153-158.
Published online March 31, 2011.

구강 전암병소 및 구강암 예방

차인호

연세대학교 치과대학 구강악안면외과학교실, 구강종양연구소

Oral precancerous lesion and oral cancer prevention

In-Ho Cha

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Cancer Research Institute, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University

Abstract

Oral precancerous lesion is a morphologically altered tissue in which oral cancer is more likely to occur than is apparently normal counterpart. As dentists always do oral examination and dental treatment, with fundamental knowledge and attention of this lesion, it is relatively easy to find one. If followed by proper treatment and management, it is possible to minimize its oral cancer progression, or at least delay it. Even if it were to progress to oral cancer, very early detection is possible. However, no specific biomarkers are present at the moment that could reveal oral precnacerous lesion that is high risk of oral cancer progression. Since early detection of oral cancer followed by treatment could show good prognosis with just a simple ablative surgery. Dentists should also instruct people to avoid risk factor related oral cancer progression and take natural compound having anticancer effect. Hereby, As a primary care givers, dentists play an important role in prevention of oral cancer.

Key Words: precancerous lesion;cancer progression;cancer prevention;