Erythroplakia: Rare condition which is most likely to develop into a malignancy, as it is associated with histologic premalignant changes.

Def: Lesions of the oral mucosa that present as bright red velvety plaques which cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other condition.

Conditions which resemble Erythroplakia:

Inflammatory conditions, dermatoses, stomatitis associated with dentures, tuberculosis, fungal infections.

Types:

• Homogenous Erythroplakia
• Erythroplakia interspread with patches of Leukoplakia
• Granular or Speckled leukoplakia

80-90% Erythroplakia cases  histopathologically are either severe epithelial Dysplasia, Carcinoma in Situ or invasive Carcinoma

No Sex differentiation

Unknown Etiology and seems alcohol abuse and smoking are important etiological factors.

Histopathological Features:

Lack of keratin production by epithelium and is Atrophic, but maybe Hyperplastic. Lack of keratin n thin epithelium shows the underlying microvasculature causing the red colour.

Connective tissue shows chronic inflammation

To Demonstrate Erythroplakia from other conditions 1% Toulidine Blue solution is applied, which helps to detect epithelial dysplasia.

Treatment:

Observation for 1-2 weeks after elimination of suspected irritants

Biopsy to be done if the lesion still persists.

Surgical Excision gives excellent prognosis