The Mitotic Values for the Epithelium in Oral Keratoses and Lichen Planus

In biopsies from the oral mucosa of 235 cases in which the diagnosis was lichen planus, keratosis or leukoplakia, mitotic values were calculated for the stratum basale (M.V. basal) and the stratum spinosum (M.V. spinous). The mean M.V. basal was significantly different from the mean M.V. spinous in the keratosis and leukoplakia groups, but not in the lichen planus group. Within the keratosis and leukoplakia groups, M.V. basal and M.V. spinous were significantly correlated. When each of the mean M.V.s was compared with the M.V.s for the other diagnostic groups, various significant differences were found. The M.V.s were examined in relation to the type of keratinization, the presence of acanthosis or atrophy, and the patient's age, but the M.V.s were not significantly related to these features.