title: Biopsy and histopathologic diagnosis of oral premalignant and malignant lesions.
abstract: Accurate diagnosis of premalignant or malignant oral lesions depends on the quality of the biopsy, adequate clinical information and correct interpretation of the biopsy results. The purpose of this paper is to review the procedures for obtaining appropriate biopsy samples, and the criteria for diagnosing and grading dysplasias. The World Health Organization's description of the architectural and cytologic epithelial changes that characterize dysplasia is detailed, and guidelines for following up patients with premalignant and malignant lesions are provided. The benefits of using the centralized services and expertise of the British Columbia Oral Biopsy Service are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, and BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program, BC Cancer Agency/Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia.
authors.forename: Catherine F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.forename: Samson
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Berean
authors.forename: P Michele
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Miriam P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rosin
authors.forename: Lewei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001955:British Columbia; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*