Recurrence rates after surgical removal of oral leukoplakia-A prospective longitudinal multi-centre study.

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a potentially malignant oral disorder. The Gold Standard treatment is to remove surgically the OL. Despite optimal surgery, the recurrence rates are estimated to be 30%. The reason for this is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical factors that correlate with recurrence after surgical removal of OL. In a prospective study data were collected from 226 patients with OL. Forty-six patients were excluded due to incomplete records or concomitant presence of other oral mucosal diseases. Overall, 180 patients proceeded to analysis (94 women and 86 men; mean age, 62 years; age range, 28-92 years). Clinical data, such as gender, diagnosis (homogeneous/non-homogeneous leukoplakia), location, size, tobacco and alcohol use, verified histopathological diagnosis, and clinical photograph, were obtained. In patients who were eligible for surgery, the OL was surgically removed with a margin. To establish recurrence, a healthy mucosa between the surgery and recurrence had to be confirmed in the records or clinical photographs. Statistical analysis was performed with the level of significance set at P