Abstract

Background: Oral Leukoplakia is a common pre-cancerous condition observed worldwide which often leaves physician in dilemma regarding its benign or malignant nature. Biopsy is the method followed to rule out its malignant nature which is invasive and painful. Patient has to wait for the histopathology report which is usually available after a week, and sometimes even a repeat biopsy is needed. Methods: Here we did a detailed prospective study on morphological characteristics of 156 patients of oral leukoplakia and compared these with the biopsy outcome. Results were analysed statistically by chi square test using IBM SSPS 28 package and p values were calculated. P values less than 0.05 were taken to be significant. Results: Smoking and tobacco chewing habits, age of patient, duration, location, margins, tenderness, texture, tendency to peel easily and Induration of Oral Leukoplakia were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Complete morphological description of Oral Leukoplakia provides significant insight to its nature during its first encounter with the physician, with confirmatory results provided by the biopsy.

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