Predictors of malignant transformation in oral leukoplakia and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: An observational prospective study including the DNA ploidy status

Abstract

Background: This prospective observational study investigated the determinants of malignant transformation (MT) in localized oral leukoplakia (OL) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Methods: Demographic, clinical, histological, and DNA ploidy status data were collected at enrolment. Survival analysis was performed (MT being the event of interest). Results: One-hundred and thirty-three patients with OL and 20 patients with PVL entered the study over 6 years (mean follow-up 7.8 years). The presence of OED, DNA ploidy, clinical presentation, and lesion site were associated with MT in patients with OL in a univariate analysis. In a multivariate model, OED was the strongest predictor of MT in patients with OL. Adding DNA ploidy increased the model's predictive power. None of the assessed predictors was associated with MT in patients with PVL. Conclusions: DNA ploidy might identify a subset OL with low risk or minimal risk of MT, but it does not seem to be a reliable predictor in patients with PVL.