OPMD Definition — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyOral PathologyOPMD DefinitionMFDS Part 1

Which pair of oral potentially malignant disorders comprises clinical diagnoses of exclusion corresponding, respectively, to a predominantly white oral plaque and a persistent red oral patch that cannot be characterised as another definable disease?

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Correct answer: E — Oral leukoplakia and oral erythroplakia

Oral leukoplakia and oral erythroplakia are clinical diagnoses of exclusion. Leukoplakia describes a predominantly white plaque after other definable white lesions have been excluded; erythroplakia describes a persistent red patch that cannot be attributed to another disease. Histopathological assessment determines whether epithelial dysplasia or carcinoma is present but does not itself define the clinical label. Oral lichen planus and lichenoid lesions may also be potentially malignant, but they are recognised through characteristic clinical and clinicopathological features rather than simply by unexplained colour. Pemphigus and pemphigoid are vesiculobullous disorders, lupus has characteristic immune-mediated manifestations, and candidosis is an identifiable fungal disease rather than an exclusion diagnosis.

Reference: Staines K, Sims C, Gibb J. Assessing oral ulcers and patches in primary care. BMJ. 2026;393:2025-085204. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33128420/