COMPUTATIONAL PATHOLOGY IN ORAL POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISORDERS

Computational pathology is an emerging field that integrates digital pathology, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and image analysis techniques to enhance the diagnosis, grading, risk assessment, and management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). OPMDs, including oral leukoplakia, oral erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral lichen planus, possess varying risks of malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Accurate prediction of this transformation remains a significant challenge in conventional histopathology due to interobserver variability and subjective interpretation. Computational pathology represents a transformative approach in the evaluation of OPMDs. By providing objective, quantitative, and reproducible analyses, it has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, predict malignant transformation more effectively, and facilitate personalized patient management, ultimately contributing to better outcomes in oral cancer prevention and early detection.