Ming-Yue Lyu1, Yu-Si Guo2, Shuo Li2, Di Yang2, Hong Hua3. 1. Department of Implantology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Engineer Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China. 2. Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Engineer Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China. 3. Department of Oral Medicine, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Engineer Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to analyse, systematically, hospital-based epidemiological information concerning the malignant transformation rate (MTR) of oral leukoplakia (OL) in a Chinese population, as well as the associated risk factors. METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched for studies dealing with OL and related risk factors, including age, gender, type of lesion, site, and smoking and drinking habits. RESULTS: The MTR of OL in the hospital-based Chinese population ranged from 4% to 13%, based on the studies analysed. Regarding risk factors, we found that female patients had a higher MTR than male patients, and that patients older than 50 years of age also had a higher MTR. Patients who smoked had a lower MTR, while alcohol consumption seemed to have no association with MTR. Malignant transformation occurred most commonly on the tongue. Regarding lesion type, non-homogeneous OL had a higher MTR, with the granular type having the highest MTR. Our results regarding the epidemiology of OL showed a similar trend to those reported in western populations and provided preliminary epidemiological information on the Chinese population. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that female gender, age >50 years and non-homogeneous OL are risk factors for malignant transformation. It is important to develop clinical strategies to educate, diagnose and treat patients with OL and to minimise the MTR of OL.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to analyse, systematically, hospital-based epidemiological information concerning the malignant transformation rate (MTR) of oral leukoplakia (OL) in a Chinese population, as well as the associated risk factors. METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched for studies dealing with OL and related risk factors, including age, gender, type of lesion, site, and smoking and drinking habits. RESULTS: The MTR of OL in the hospital-based Chinese population ranged from 4% to 13%, based on the studies analysed. Regarding risk factors, we found that female patients had a higher MTR than male patients, and that patients older than 50 years of age also had a higher MTR. Patients who smoked had a lower MTR, while alcohol consumption seemed to have no association with MTR. Malignant transformation occurred most commonly on the tongue. Regarding lesion type, non-homogeneous OL had a higher MTR, with the granular type having the highest MTR. Our results regarding the epidemiology of OL showed a similar trend to those reported in western populations and provided preliminary epidemiological information on the Chinese population. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that female gender, age >50 years and non-homogeneous OL are risk factors for malignant transformation. It is important to develop clinical strategies to educate, diagnose and treat patients with OL and to minimise the MTR of OL.
Authors: Elisabeth-R E A Brouns; Jacques-A Baart; Elisabeth Bloemena; Hakki Karagozoglu; Isaäc van der Waal Journal: Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal Date: 2013-01-01