Lo Muzio et al (2003) showed that survivin is immunohistochemically present in 10 out of 30 cases (33%) of oral precancerous lesions without malignant progression, but in 15 out of 16 cases (94%) of oral precancerous lesions which evolved into full-blown SCC, and that survivin positivity appears to be an early event and a critical factor for tumor progression from precancerous lesion. The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is neoplasm.