Prevalence of precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa and red border of the lips: A literature reviewL MUCOSA AND THE RED BORDER OF THE LIP(BASED ON A LITERATURE REVIEW)

Abstract

Relevance: The incidence of cancer in the maxillofacial region is increasing every year. According to the WHO, the main reasons for the late diagnosis of malignant neoplasms are: untimely treatment of patients for medical help, asymptomatic course of the disease, as well as medical errors, including non-compliance with the principles of cancer prevention. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity primarily develop against a background of long-standing pathologically altered tissues, such as chronic inflammatory processes of various etiologies and dyskeratoses, which are considered precancerous lesions. To date, the prevalence of precancerous oral mucosal diseases and the red border of the lips has not been fully studied. Dentists’ awareness of precancerous conditions and their signs is often insufficient, requiring advanced training in timely diagnosis and in tactics for working with such patients. In addition, the issue of introducing oncoscreening for oral mucosal and lip red border cancers is relevant.

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of precancerous oral mucosal diseases and the red border of the lips to identify priority areas in prevention.

Methods: The literature search on the research topic was conducted on the scientific platforms PubMed, Scopus, and CyberLeninka, as well as in several specialized medical and scientific journals. The analysis included publications from 2015 to 2025. Additionally, the bibliographic references in the selected articles were analyzed. The selected scientific papers were analyzed and classified into key thematic blocks: etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of precancerous diseases. The selection included publications on precancerous and cancerous pathologies of the oral cavity, presented in Russian and English. Materials that went beyond the specified period were excluded, as well as publications with insufficient evidence (abstracts, isolated clinical cases). A total of 83 sources were selected, of which 44 were included in the literature review.

Results: An increase in the number of patients with chronic inflammatory and dyskeratotic changes in the oral mucosa and keratoconus is observed, as well as a tendency towards “rejuvenation” of precancerous pathologies.

Conclusion: The analysis confirms the need to improve early diagnosis systems, develop prevention programs, and increase cancer awareness during dental appointments to reduce the incidence of malignant tumors.