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A classification and staging system for oral leukoplakia is proposed based on the recently revised
definition of this premalignant lesion. The initial experiences of this system are described on the basis
of 100 patients with oral leukoplakia. The new classification and staging system seems very suitable for
characterizing groups of patients with oral leukoplakia. Whether this system is also valuable with
regard to guidelines for management of these patients has still to be proven.
Oral Oncol, Eur J Cancer, Vol. 31B, No. 6, pp. 396-398, 1995.
396
Classification and Staging System for Oral Leukoplakia 397
Table 4. Distribution of 53 leukoplakias ingroup II (definitive diagnosis) according to the stage and the oral subsite
Group II
Total 9 17 6 21 53
active treatment of oral leukoplakia appears to depend largely malignant transformation. A follow-up study of 257 patients.
Cancer 1984, 53, 563-568.
on the histopathological findings of a biopsy. In the presence of
4. Schell H, Schonberger A. Zur lokalisationshaufigkeit von benig-
moderate to severe epithelial dysplasia (stage 4) active nen und prikanzerosen Leukoplakien und Karzinomen in der
treatment should be instituted [5, lo]. In the case of mild, or in Mundhohle. Z Hautkr 1987,62, 798-804.
the absence of, epithelial dysplasia the decision to treat may be 5. Burkhardt A, Maerker R. Dysplasie Klassification oraler Leuko-
influenced by the site or the clinical aspect of the lesion (stage plakien und Prakanzerosen. Bedeutung fur Prognose und Thera-
pie. Dtsch Z Mund-Kiefer-GesichtsChir 1978, 2, 199-205.
1, 2 and 3). In general, treatment is recommended for
6. Incze J, Vaughan CW, Lui I’, Stuart Strong M, Kulapaditharom
leukoplakias located in “high-risk” sites, irrespective of the B. Premalignant changes in normal appearing epithelium in
degree of epithelial dysplasia. The significance of the present patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive
staging system for the management of and prognosis for tract. Am3 Surg 1982, 144, 401-405.
7. Pindborg JJ. Oral Cancer and Precancer. Bristol, John Wright,
patients with oral leukoplakia requires further investigation.
1980.
8. Burkhardt A. Advanced methods in the evaluation of premalig-
nant lesions and carcinomas of the oral mucosa. 3 Oral Pathol
International seminar on oral leukoplakia. 3 Oral Pathol Med (in 1985, 14, 751-778.
press). 9. World Health Organisation. International Classification of Dis-
Axe11 T, Holmstrup I’, Kramer IRH, Pindborg JJ, Shear M. eases.10th revision. Application to Dentistry and Stomatology.
International seminar on oral leukoplakia and associated lesions Geneva, ICD-DA, 1992.
related to tobacco habits. Commun Dent Oral Epidemiol 1984, 12, 10. Vedtofte I’, Holmstrup I’, Hjorting-Hansen E, Pindborg JJ.
145-154. Surgical treatment of premalignant lesions of the oral mucosa. Int
Silverman S, Gorsky M, Lozada F. Oral leukoplakia and 3 Oral Maxillofac Surg 1987, 16, 656-664.