Updated: May 2003

To date there is no evidence to support screening of asymptomatic patients for head and neck cancer, but, not infrequently, asymptomatic potentially premalignant lesions are found by dentists and their staff at routine oral examinations. 10% of leukoplakia (white mucosal patches) may develop into a carcinoma if left untreated. Inflamed red patches (erythroplakia) is potentially more sinister with a 30% of chance of developing malignancy.