Diagnosis and assessment of oral cancer

Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of the normal tissues and persists in the same excessive manner after the cessation of the stimuli which evoked the change (Defined by Willis RA) Oral Cancer is the malignant neoplasm that forms in tissue of oral cavity. It is one of the ten most frequent cancers in the world. In India, it is found to be one of the commonest and an important health problem. Annually almost 7% of all cancer death in males and 4% in female have been reported to be due to oral cancers. Oral cavity is unique from other body cavities as it has a direct communication with the external environment. The oral mucous membrane is exposed to all chemical, mechanical, thermal and biological changes. Initially the physiological adaptation can bear these changes. However, repeated exposure to chemical or biologic carcinogens mechanical trauma coupled with a debilitating state for a longer duration may lead to various changes in oral epithelium. These changes, if left untreated, will lead to increased malignant potential of the tissue.