title: An update on the clinical pathology of oral precancer and cancer.
abstract: The identification of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions at an early stage allows for early intervention and minimizes mortality and morbidity. A combination of risk reduction and early detection should further reduce the incidence and improve outcomes. A clear understanding of the aetiology and clinical presentation of these lesions is key to effective management of these patients in primary dental care. We present a timely update on these issues, with an emphasis on the importance of early detection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The identification of lesions at precancerous stages or, at worst, early malignancy, is the key to better outcomes for our oral cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Keith D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yeoman
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome