ORAL POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISORDERS: EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND BIOMARKERS

Abstract

Oral cavity cancer represents a significant public health problem due to its high morbidity and mortality rates and the fact that it is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease. In this context, potentially malignant disorders of the oral cavity play an important role in the prevention and control of oral cancer, since they represent epithelial alterations with an increased risk of malignant transformation. Early identification of these lesions allows for more effective clinical interventions and contributes to improving patient prognosis. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the main methods used in the diagnosis of potentially malignant lesions of the oral cavity, with emphasis on advances related to the identification of biomarkers and new diagnostic approaches. To achieve this objective, a bibliographic review was conducted based on scientific articles available in academic databases, addressing clinical, histopathological, and molecular aspects related to these alterations. The findings indicate that although clinical examination associated with histopathological analysis remains the most widely used method for diagnostic confirmation, new strategies have been investigated to improve the early detection of these lesions. Among these approaches, salivary biomarkers, molecular analyses, and auxiliary diagnostic technologies stand out as promising tools for identifying cellular alterations associated with the development of oral cancer. It is concluded that the integration of traditional diagnostic methods with emerging technologies can contribute to the early detection of potentially malignant lesions of the oral cavity, supporting more effective strategies for prevention, monitoring, and clinical management in dental practice.