White lesions of the oral cavity can range from a reactive lesions to malignancies. One cannot come to a definitive diagnosis based on the clinical appearance of the lesions alone. Many lesions like leukoplakia, hyperplastic candidiasis, tobacco pouch keratosis can appear similar clinically. However, these lesions differ in their etiopathogenesis, demographics, histopathology, etc. Ascertaining and differentiating such lesions clinically and histologically is extremely important for methodical approach to assess the oral mucosal conditions that are thought to be premalignant or cancer. Identifying a premalignant lesion or a malignancy in the early stages will avert the development of a malignancy and improve the prognosis with minimal disfiguration. A thorough knowledge about the lesions will help in the diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures of the disease.

Dr. Nikita Mukundrao MangaleB.D.S., M.D.S.(Oral Pathology and Microbiology)