Cryosurgery in the Management of Potentially Malignant Lesions: A Report of Two Cases.

ABSTRACT

Cryosurgery is a therapeutical approach that uses freezing to obtain a tissue inflammatory or destructive response. It has been successfully used for both cutaneous and oral conditions. The characteristics of oral mucosa like humidity and smoothness makes it an ideal site for this approach. Oral submucous fibrosis is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa, with areca nut chewing being the primary causative agent. Leukoplakia is a potentially malignant lesion associated with excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Although there are no specific treatment modalities to prevent recurrence, abandoning habits can decrease the chance of recurrence, as well as the transfiguration into malignant tumors of these disorders. However, with the advent of cryosurgery, oral surgeons are provided with a new modality for treating oral potentially malignant disorders. This case report highlights the pioneering effect of nitrous oxide cryosurgery in treating two cases of oral submucous fibrosis with leukoplakia and oral leukoplakia respectively showing promising results during follow-up.