Dysplastic changes, carcinoma in situ or even early invasive cancer is seen in:

# Which of the following clinical lesions is most likely to harbor dysplastic changes, carcinoma in situ or even early invasive cancer?

A. Erythroplakia

B. Lichen planus

C. Leukoplakia

D. Stomatitis nicotiana

The correct answer is A. Erythroplakia.

Erythroplakia

(Erythroplasia of Queyrat)

Whilst leukoplakia is a relatively common condition, erythroplakia is rare. In contrast to leukoplakia, erythroplakia is almost always associated with premalignant changes histologically and is, therefore, the most important precancerous lesion.

The high rate of premalignant and malignant changes noticed in erythroplakia is true for all clinical varieties of this lesion and not solely a feature of speckled erythroplakia. Different studies have demonstrated that 80–90% of erythroplakias are histopathologically either severe epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or invasive carcinoma.  

 Reference: Shafer’s Textbook of ORAL PATHOLOGY, 7th Edition, Page No: 95

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