HIGH-INCIDENCE OF ORAL PRECANCEROUS LESIONS IN A HYPERENDEMIC AREA OFHEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION

We have investigated the incidence of oral precancerous lesions among the inhabitants in a hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyperendemic area. Two or al surgeons examined the oral lesions of 685 (295 men, 390 women; mean age of 56.1 years) adult inhabitants, hyperendemic area of HCV infect ion. All sera were examined for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and serum HCV RNA. Anti-HCV or HCV RNA were detected in sera from 84 (12.3%) or 61 (8.9%) of all. Oral lichen planus (OLP), leukoedema, or leukoplaki a were observed in 10 (1.5%), 82 (12%), or 47 (6.9%) subjects, respect ively. The incidences of OLP, leukoedema, and leukoplakia in the subje cts with HCV infection were significantly higher than those without HC V. These results indicated that HCV may play an important role in oral cancer and related precancerous lesions. Moreover, our study also emp hasized the need for periodic examination of the oral cavity in patien ts with HCV. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.