Predictive factors of recurrence and malignant transformation in vocal cord leukoplakia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to define the predictive risk factors of vocal cord leukoplakia recurrence and malignant transformation. From January 2009 to December 2013, 63 patients with a diagnosis of vocal cord leukoplakia were identified based on their medical records. The 63 patients comprised 62 males and one female. This study showed that the extent of vocal cord leukoplakia resulted in statistically significant differences for both the recurrence of vocal cord leukoplakia and malignant transformation (p < 0.05). In addition, this study revealed that the degree of dysplasia resulted in statistically significant differences for both the recurrence of vocal cord leukoplakia and malignant transformation (p < 0.05). We suggest that the extent of lesion and the degree of dysplasia are predictive factors for the risk of recurrence and malignant transformation.