A Case of Extensive Erythroplakia in the Oral Mucosa

Abstract

Erythroplakia in the oral cavity is an uncommon lesion which has been known to be a precancerous disease, often showing the features of severe epithelial dysplasia. A significant proportion of these lesions progress to carcinoma. We report a case of extensive erythroplakia which occurred in the oral mucosa of a 56-year-old woman. Immunohistochemical methods were used to elucidate the characteristics and potential for malignant transformation in this lesion. The positive reaction for CK10/13 changed to negative in areas of dysplastic stratified squamous epithelium, while the positive reaction for CK14 was enhanced. Severely dysplastic stratified squamous epithelium exhibited slight immunoreactivity with the MIB-1 antibody against Ki-67 antigen. No staining for p53 was observed. These findings appear to support the view that oral erythroplakia with severe epithelial dysplasia possesses high potential for malignant transformation.