Potentially malignant lesions and differential diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis – a case series

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PMC), a systemic fungal disease common in tropical and subtropical countries of Latin America, is caused by inhalation of the pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which is frequently found in the soil of rural areas, making it contaminated. Among the described signs and symptoms, it is common to find individuals with a previous history of tuberculosis. Clinically, lesions appear in the oral cavity with features suggestive of other diseases, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a malignant neoplasm. In this article, we present three clinical cases of oral manifestations of paracoccidioidomycosis, with diagnosis and treatment, to highlight the importance of clinical and differential knowledge of this neglected disease.