Malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: a multicentric retrospective study in Brazilian population / Transformación maligna de la leucoplasia oral: un estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico en población brasileña

ABSTRACT

Background: Among the oral potentially malignant disorders, leukoplakia stands out as the most prevalent. Thepurpose of this study was to analyse the clinical-pathological features of oral leukoplakia in groups of patientsfrom three major pathology centers in two different regions of Brazil, in order to determine which factors wouldbe associated to the clinical risk of malignant transformation.Material and Methods: A total of 148 patients was analyzed, and data regarding gender, age, site, classification ofthe clinical subtype, harmful habits such as use of tobacco and alcohol, time of evolution and presence of dyspla-sia were collected. The association between risk factors and malignant transformation was investigated using thechi-square test and Fischer's exact test for correlation of variables. A significance level of 5% (p≤0.05) was used.Results: The mean age of the patients was 60 years, and 56% were female. Most of the lesions (34,5%) were lo-cated in the lateral and ventral regions of the tongue. Of the 148 patients, ninety had clinical follow-up. Malignanttransformation occurred in 13 patients (8.8%), with an average of 44 months of follow up.Conclusions: Non-smoker, nonhomogeneous clinical presentation, location at the tongue, and the presence of highdegree of dysplasia were statistically relevant factors associated with a higher risk of transformation transformation.(AU)