Treatment results of CO2 laser vaporisation in a cohort of 35 patients with oral leukoplakia.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment results of CO2 laser vaporisation in a well-defined cohort of patients with oral leukoplakia (OL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The group consisted of 35 patients. Before treatment, a clinical photograph and an incisional biopsy were performed in all cases. Also posttreatment results were documented with clinical photographs. The assessment of the treatment results was performed by an independent clinician who had not performed the treatment. The mean follow-up period was 61.9 months (range 12-179 months).

RESULTS

In 14/35 patients, there was a recurrence between 1 and 43 months (mean 18.7 months), the annual recurrence rate being approximately 8%. In three of these patients, malignant transformation occurred at a later stage. In two other patients, a malignancy occurred without a prior recurrence. In altogether 5 of 35 patients, malignant transformation occurred in a mean period of 54 months, the annual malignant transformation rate being approximately 3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results in the present study are worse than those reported in the literature, perhaps owing to the use of different diagnostic criteria for OL, differences in the employed laser technique and assessment of possible recurrences by an independent clinician.