In examining the mouth of an older adult with a history of smoking,the nurse practitioner finds a suspicious oral lesion.The patient has been referred for a biopsy to be sent for pathology.Which is the most common oral precancerous lesion?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Leukoplakia is the most common precancerous lesion of the oral cavity, particularly in individuals with a history of tobacco use. It is characterized by white, thickened patches on the oral mucosa that cannot be scraped off. It has the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Fictional keratosis, keratoacanthoma, and lichen planus are not precancerous lesions, but they may mimic the appearance of leukoplakia and must be ruled out by biopsy.

In Examining the Mouth of an Older Adult with a History