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Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases
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Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Dentistry, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2026 | Viewed by 14438

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Masanobu Abe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Oral Surgery & Dentistry, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
Interests: oral health; oral health care; oral cancer; oral infectious diseases; oral and maxillofacial surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral mucosal diseases are closely related to oral and systemic health and are of increasing importance in medical practice, including cancer treatment. This Special Issue provides the latest findings on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a diverse range of conditions, including infections of the oral mucosa, precancerous lesions, oral mucositis and oral cancer. Through research papers and review articles by experts in their fields, the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and effective management of oral mucosal lesions are explored. It also focuses on the importance of oral care in patients with cancer and other diseases and the challenges faced in clinical practice and provides practical guidelines for oral mucosal management.

Dr. Masanobu Abe
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oral mucosal diseases
  • oral mucositis
  • oral precancerous lesions
  • oral cancer
  • oral potentially malignant disorders
  • OPMDs
  • oral leukoplakia

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 259 KB  
Article
Effects of Comorbid Disease Improvement on Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) and Oral Leukoplakia (OL) Lesions: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study
by Ildikó Tar, Szarka Krisztina, Renáta Martos, Csongor Kiss and Ildikó Márton
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(10), 3408; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103408 - 13 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1872
Abstract
Background: Previous attempts to treat oral potentially malignant disorders OPMDs) effectively have failed. Longitudinal studies investigating the effects of comorbid diseases improvement on OPMDs are not yet available. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of comorbid disease improvement on OPMDs healing, both [...] Read more.
Background: Previous attempts to treat oral potentially malignant disorders OPMDs) effectively have failed. Longitudinal studies investigating the effects of comorbid diseases improvement on OPMDs are not yet available. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of comorbid disease improvement on OPMDs healing, both in oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral leukoplakia (OL) patients. Methods: The data from 197 consecutive patients (144 females and 53 males, age ± SD: 55.19 ± 12.37 years, with ages ranging from 23 to 91 years), with oral lesions considered OLP and OL, were processed and evaluated. The frequency of comorbid diseases and the presence of HPV (here, subtypes were not evaluated) in the lesions in OLP and OL patient groups were evaluated and compared to the results of controls (n = 139). Risk models for OLP and OL lesions were established. High-risk models for erosive–atrophic OLP and non-homogeneous OLP were also described. The influence of comorbid disease improvement was also evaluated. Lesions were scored at the first and last visit (full recovery = 0, improvement = 1, and no improvement = 2). Results: One hundred and ninety-seven patients (144 OLP + 53 OL) were followed up for an average of 47.66 months (min–max: 1–203 months, SD: 54.19). Based on the established models, HPV infection, iron deficiency, diabetes, and thyroid function disorders seem to act as risk factors for OLP and may also affect OL formation. The improvement in comorbid diseases can cause significant improvement in OLP and OL lesions. Conclusions: By meticulous follow-up of comorbid diseases, improvement in OLP and OL lesions can be achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases)
11 pages, 6059 KB  
Article
Healing with Love: Oxytocin Accelerates Oral Ulcer Recovery by Reducing Inflammation
by Mert Zeytinoğlu, Osman Sezer Çınaroğlu, Ejder Saylav Bora and Oytun Erbaş
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(8), 2667; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082667 - 14 Apr 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3905
Abstract
Background: Oral ulcerative mucositis (OUM) is a painful, inflammatory mucosa lesion that impairs quality of life. Despite available treatments, effective agents that promote faster healing and modulate inflammation are still needed. Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may aid wound [...] Read more.
Background: Oral ulcerative mucositis (OUM) is a painful, inflammatory mucosa lesion that impairs quality of life. Despite available treatments, effective agents that promote faster healing and modulate inflammation are still needed. Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may aid wound healing by regulating the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This study investigates the effects of OT on oral ulcer healing in rats, focusing on its modulation of the MMP-2/TIMP-2 pathway. Methods: Acetic acid 70% was used as the oral mucosal ulcer inducer. Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into control, oral ulcer + saline, and oral ulcer + OT (intraperitoneally for 15 days) groups. Histopathological, biochemical, and molecular analyses were performed. Buccal mucosa tissue was examined for TNF-α, TIMP-2, and MMP-2 levels via ELISA, while oxidative stress markers and pentraxin-3 (PTX3) were also assessed. Results: OT significantly preserved epithelial integrity and reduced fibrosis compared to the saline group (p < 0.001). TNF-α, MMP-2, PTX3, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower, while TIMP-2 levels were elevated in the OT-treated group (p < 0.01). Histopathological analysis confirmed reduced inflammation and enhanced tissue organization. Conclusions: OT accelerates oral ulcer healing by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and ECM remodeling via the MMP-2/TIMP-2 pathway. These findings highlight its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing mucosal injuries. Further clinical studies are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases)
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Review

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19 pages, 1857 KB  
Review
Prognostic Role of Worst Pattern of Invasion in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Lucrezia Togni, Marco Mascitti, Paolo Maria Antonio Staffinati, Giuseppe Consorti, Gaetano Isola, Lucio Lo Russo and Andrea Santarelli
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15030965 - 25 Jan 2026
Viewed by 865
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The pattern of invasion describes the arrangement of neoplastic cells along the tumor infiltrative front and refers to the way cancer infiltrates tissue at the tumor/host interface. Accumulating evidence suggested that the Worst Pattern of Invasion (WPOI) represents an independent prognostic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The pattern of invasion describes the arrangement of neoplastic cells along the tumor infiltrative front and refers to the way cancer infiltrates tissue at the tumor/host interface. Accumulating evidence suggested that the Worst Pattern of Invasion (WPOI) represents an independent prognostic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, it is still considered a minor prognostic criterion, and it is recommended as an optional report component in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) guideline. Methods: Therefore, the study aims to extensively review the literature data regarding the prognostic role of the WPOI in OSCC. Results: The WPOI resulted as an independent prognostic factor for locoregional recurrences (LRRs), lymph node metastasis (LMN), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and bone tissue infiltration, regardless of the oral subsite and the pathological stage. Moreover, several authors suggested the evaluation of the WPOI to lead the postoperative management and to determine the occult LNM in early-stage OSCC. Conclusions: The prognostic relevance of the WPOI in OSCC highlights its evaluation in pathological daily practice. Therefore, the WPOI-detection method and scoring system should be validated based on the tumor stage and site. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases)
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16 pages, 491 KB  
Review
Pain Control in Oral Mucositis According to the Severity Scale: A Narrative Literature Review
by Nawal Suhaimi, Noor Azura Hani Abdul Razak and Roszalina Ramli
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(13), 4478; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14134478 - 24 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5996
Abstract
Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a painful and debilitating stomatitis that often arises following head and neck radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or stem cell transplant, leading to treatment delays and potential patient intervention interruption. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the modalities [...] Read more.
Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a painful and debilitating stomatitis that often arises following head and neck radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or stem cell transplant, leading to treatment delays and potential patient intervention interruption. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the modalities in the management of OM. When supported by evidence, treatment is customized according to its severity. Method: A literature search was performed using the PubMed database. The search strategy consists of keywords such as “pain management”, “pain control”, and “oral mucositis”. Literature references from 1997 to 2024 were selected by the authors based on relevance to the current practice of oral mucositis pain management. Results: Fourteen studies were included in this review. Interventions were classified into pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities. In relation to pain measurement, for grade 1 OM, topical treatments are the primary recommendation. For grades 2 to 4, where pain is moderate to severe, systemic analgesia should be administered. Honey and oral care are beneficial for OM with grades 2 to 4. Conclusions: Effective management of OM should be tailored to the severity of the condition, incorporating both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. While various modalities have shown promise in relieving symptoms and enhancing the quality of life, a multifaceted, patient-centered approach remains essential. Advancing high-quality clinical trials, particularly those evaluating non-pharmacological interventions will be crucial to expanding treatment options. Future efforts should focus on personalized therapies, integration of combination treatments, adoption of standardized pain assessment tools, and long-term outcome studies to improve clinical effectiveness and optimize patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases)
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Other

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16 pages, 1571 KB  
Systematic Review
Salivary Glucose Testing for Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence and Methodological Heterogeneity
by Kata Sára Haba, Patrik Krisztián Kreuter, Xinyi Qian, Gergely Agócs, Dorottya Bányai, Noémi Katinka Rózsa, Péter Hegyi, Péter Hermann, Carlos Jurado, Dóra Haluszka and Dániel Végh
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(5), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051829 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 593
Abstract
Background/Objectives: As current methods of measuring blood glucose levels are inconvenient and painful for patients, using salivary glucose as a non-invasive biomarker to estimate glucose levels may improve patient compliance. This study aims to quantify the association between salivary glucose levels and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: As current methods of measuring blood glucose levels are inconvenient and painful for patients, using salivary glucose as a non-invasive biomarker to estimate glucose levels may improve patient compliance. This study aims to quantify the association between salivary glucose levels and blood glucose levels and to assess how heterogeneity between studies and the methodological differences affect the potential clinical use of salivary glucose. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were used for this review, and the protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023471213). Four databases were searched: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane’s Library Trials, and Web of Science. The search was conducted on 22 November 2023 and updated on 18 August 2025. No filters were applied for the search. Human studies, where paired salivary and blood samples were taken both from patients with diabetes and healthy individuals after at least 8 h of fasting, were included in the analysis. We extracted correlation coefficients and group means differences. Risk of bias was assessed with QUADAS-2, and the between-study heterogeneity was examined using random-effects models. Results: Through the systematic search, 15,162 articles were found, 25 of which were included in our meta-analysis. The analysis showed a weak correlation between whole-mouth saliva samples and blood samples (r2 value: 0.05) and a slightly stronger correlation between parotid saliva samples and blood samples (r2 value: 0.11). These low r2 values reflect weak associations and are reported descriptively. The difference between the mean salivary glucose level of patients with diabetes and controls was 4.43 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.05; 6.80). The high heterogeneity (I2 values approaching 100% for mean difference analyses) limits the interpretability of pooled estimates. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates that salivary and blood glucose levels associate weakly, and the study results are highly heterogeneous. Given the weak and highly heterogeneous associations observed across studies, current evidence does not support the use of salivary glucose measurement as an alternative to blood glucose measurement for the time being. Further standardized research is required before any conclusion about clinical applicability can be drawn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Mucosal Diseases)
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