Received by the Editorial Office: 16.05.2026
Accepted for publication: 29.05.2026
Published online: 30.06.2026
UDC: [616.311+616.317]-006-036.3(045)
DOI: 10.70113/1815-9443.2026.96.66.011
PREVALENCE OF PRECANCEROUS AND MALIGNANT DISEASES OF THE ORAL MUCOSA AND VERMILION BORDER OF THE LIPS: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
Maryam K. Iskakova¹, Karina M. Zakirova², Murat Ye. Kaibarov³
¹ Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
² Master’s Student, Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
³ Candidate of Medical Sciences, Head of the Head and Neck Tumor Center,иKazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Introduction. Early detection of precancerous and malignant diseases of the oral mucosa and vermilion border is an important issue for dentistry, oncologic dentistry, and the organization of screening measures.
Objective. To study the prevalence and structure of precancerous and malignant diseases of the oral mucosa and vermilion border based on retrospective analysis data, and to identify factors associated with late diagnosis.
Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 300 inpatient medical records from 2023-2024 was conducted at the Head and Neck Tumor Center of the Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology, with 150 records analyzed for each year. Sex, age, route of presentation, lesion localization, stage of malignant disease, risk factors, and detected precancerous lesions were assessed. Pearson’s chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.
Results. In 2023, stage III-IV oral cancer was detected in 87 patients (58%); in 2024, it was detected in 78 patients (52%). The tongue was the most frequent tumor localization. Precancerous lesions were identified in 13 patients (8.7%) in 2023 and in 7 patients (4.7%) in 2024; the overall frequency was 20 cases out of 300 records (6.7%). Leukoplakia was the most frequently registered precancerous lesion. A statistically significant association was found between the route of presentation and disease stage (χ²=10.71; df=1; p=0.0011).
Discussion. The findings indicate that prolonged self-treatment and prolonged dental treatment before referral to an oncologic dental specialist are associated with more frequent detection of advanced disease stages. This emphasizes the need to improve oncologic awareness among primary care dentists, to perform regular examinations of the oral mucosa and vermilion border, and to provide dynamic follow-up for patients with precancerous lesions.
Conclusion. The retrospective analysis demonstrated detected precancerous lesions and a high proportion of advanced oral cancer stages. Early diagnosis requires regular dental examinations, patient education, and the implementation of cancer screening elements in primary dental care.
Keywords: prevalence, precancer, cancer, oral mucosa, vermilion border, oncologic awareness, diagnosis, patient.
