Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia After 16 Years: A Case Report and Literature Review

DOI: 10.18044/MedInform.2025124.2206

Abstract:

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common oral potentially malignant disorder. Evidence on time to malignant transformation is scarce. A lifelong, time-dependent risk of malignant transformation has been reported. Despite numerous studies of risk factors for shorter time to transformation, there are currently no predictors that can reliably forecast the timing in an individual case. We present a clinical case of OL that persisted for a prolonged period and underwent malignant transformation after sixteen years.

Keywords: oral potentially malignant disorder, oral leukoplakia, malignant transformation, time to malignant transformation, risk factors

Authors:

Samuil Dzhenkov ; Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria.;
Konstantin Stamatov ; Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria.;
Pavel Stanimirov ; Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria.;

Corresponding Author:

Samuil Dzhenkov ; Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria.;