FCE5: Oral Precancers and the Periodontist: Red Flags or Red Herrings

Speaker

Sook-Bin Woo

Moderator

Binnaz Leblebicioglu

Description

This course is focused on the clinical diagnosis of oral precancerous lesions emphasizing that treatment of precancerous lesions reduces the rate of cancer development. It will review these conditions and how they present not only on the gingiva but on the nongingival mucosa.  Attendees will understand that the malignant transformation rate varies considerably from one condition to another, and that there are many risk factors for the development of oral precancerous lesions beyond smoking and alcohol consumption. Current concepts of development of cancer from precancerous lesions will be discussed as well as new ways to manage gingival lesions without surgery.

Educational Objectives

• Understand what constitutes precancerous lesions.
• Comprehend the full range of risk factors that lead to development of precancerous lesions.
• Recognize the clinical features of precancerous lesions.
• Be aware that there are new ways to treat precancerous lesions beyond surgical excision.