Epithelial dysplasia is atypical or abnormal
growth of the stratified squamous epithelium
lining a mucosal surface. It is a diagnosis that
must be made microscopically. These lesions
appear clinically as white, rough, non-painful
areas, or non-painful red patches ("erythroplakia"
or "erythroplasia"), or patches that demonstrate
both red and white areas. Because these
lesions are asymptomatic, the patient is usually
not aware of them. Some lesions diagnosed as
epithelial dysplasia will progress to squamous
cell carcinoma, while others will resolve. Since
it is impossible to determine by microscopic
examination which lesions will progress or
resolve, treatment is complete surgical excision, if
possible, and follow-up