Surveillance Strategies for Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Decision Tree

Mortazavi, Hamed; Beigzadeh Jalali, Abolfazl

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.8.2773

Surveillance Strategies for Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Decision Tree

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

² School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.8.2773

Abstract

Objective: Oral potentially malignant disorders are a group of oral mucosal conditions with a significant risk of transforming into oral squamous cell carcinoma. Early detection and proper follow-up are crucial in improving patient outcomes. This review consolidates evidence on the clinical features, malignant potential, treatment, and follow-up strategies for the four most common oral potentially malignant disorders: oral leukoplakia, proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and oral lichen planus. It also proposes a clinical decision tree for structured surveillance of these lesions. Methods: This review consolidates evidence on the clinical features, malignant potential, treatment, and follow-up strategies for the four most common oral potentially malignant disorders. Results: This review highlights the variability in follow-up recommendations and emphasizes the need for individualized, evidence-informed monitoring strategies. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is among the first structured attempts to present a comprehensive clinical decision tree to guide practitioners in the surveillance of OPMDs. The proposed model provides clinicians with a practical tool to minimize the risk of malignant progression. Nevertheless, despite a growing body of literature, standardized surveillance protocols are still lacking, and further longitudinal research is required.

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