Oral Leukoplakia Revisited: Retrospective Analysis of 176 Cases

Abstract

ObjectiveOral leukoplakia (OLEP) is the most common premalignant or potentially malignant lesion of the oral mucosa. OLEP may occur either as a single lesion localised different parts of the oral mucosa or as a diffuse lesion, often multiple.Study DesignThe aim of this retrospective study was to investigate demographic characteristics, clinical and histopathological features of OLEP. Study included 192 patients who were referred to Tumour Pathology Department, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University with a clinical diagnosis of OLEP between 2004 and 2013.Results15 cases with lichen planus and 1 case with leukoeudema were excluded from the study group. There were 89 men and 87 women, ranging in age from 22 to 82 years. The most frequent diagnosis was hyperkeratosis (117), followed by oral intraepithelial neoplasia (47) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (12).ConclusionsHigh incidence of OSCC indicates the fact that biopsy is a mandatory procedure in the management of OLEP.