Journal of Semnan University of Medical Sciences
Outline
Prevalence of Histopathologic Types of Buccal mucosa Lesions in the Iranian Population: A 20‐Year Retrospective Study
Authors
Abstract
Background: Oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are a significant public health issue due to their potential effects on overall health, quality of life, and their link to systemic diseases. These lesions vary in prevalence based on demographic and geographic factors, emphasizing the need for comprehensive epidemiological studies. Among OMLs, buccal mucosa lesions are particularly relevant as they are exposed to multiple mechanical, chemical, and microbial factors, making them more susceptible to various conditions. Objectives : This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and distribution of buccal mucosa lesions in an Iranian population over a 20-year period (2002–2021), providing valuable epidemiological insights for disease prevention and clinical management. Methods: A total of 6797 oral biopsy reports from the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Department of Shahid Beheshti Dental School, Tehran, were reviewed, with 549 cases involving the buccal mucosa. The lesions were categorized into six groups: epithelial, soft tissue, inflammatory, mucocutaneous, salivary gland, and hematologic disorders. Results: Mucocutaneous lesions had the highest prevalence (31.8%, 172 cases), followed by inflammatory lesions (30.7%, 166 cases) and epithelial lesions (26.6%, 146 cases). Lichen planus (24.8%, 136 cases) and irritation fibroma (22.6%, 122 cases) were the most common lesions. Women (58.1%, 314 cases) had a higher prevalence of buccal lesions compared to men (41.9%, 226 cases), with the highest occurrence in the 51-60 age group. Statistical analysis revealed significant concordance (81.9%) between clinical and histopathological diagnoses. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for regular oral health assessments, particularly in older adults and high-risk individuals, to facilitate early detection and management of buccal mucosa lesions.
Highlights
References
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Copyright
© 2026, Author(s). This open-access article is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which allows for unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited.
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