Oral potentially malignant disorders: an overview of more than 20 entities

Cancer of the oral cavity accounts for approximately 3% of all malignancies and found in 270.000 patients annually worldwide. Oral cancer is the 12th most common cancer in women and the 6th in men. Many oral squamous cell carcinomas develop from potentially malignant disorders (PMDs). Lack of awareness about signs and symptoms of oral PMDs among general population and even healthcare providers are believed to be responsible for the diagnostic delay in identification of these entities. The aim of this article was to update and improve the knowledge of healthcare providers about oral PMDs.