A survey of 4478 biopsy specimens of oral lesions.

A surgery of 4478 biopsy specimens in dental institute in India was carried out to compare and correlate results obtained from such studies carried out elsewhere. The study revealed that there are more than 150 common and rare oral diseases which are diagnosed and treated by dentists. 13 common diseases comprised majority (60.37%) of the biopsy specimens studied. Of these, tumors (25.53%) and Cysts (14.38%) constituted the majority of the bulk. The study also shows that most of the benign tumors were mesenchymal in origin (almost 5.5:1) while malignant tumors were epithelial (almost 20:1) in origin. Cystic lesions included the most common radicular cyst (7.12%) and the rare hydatid cyst (one case reported). Gingival hyperplasia mainly due to local aetiology, constituted the 3rd largest group. The purpose of this report is to provide some information about the type and frequency of oral lesions usually diagnosed, with the help of histopathological examination in India.