Can Leukoplakia Turn Into Cancer?

Posted on Fri, 29 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 29 May 2015 Answered on

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 66 year old male...I smoked 30 years ago but quit then.

My dentist said he saw some leukoplakia in my throat at 7pm if you were looking at a clock.

Is this likely cancer?? Can it likely turn to cancer? Should it be removed?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Decision of surgical excision will depend upon histo-pathological examinati

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX ,
Thanks for the query.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Leukoplakia is a clinical white patch that cannot be characterised clinically into any other disease .

On an average about 5% leukoplakia can turn into cancer .

If I were your treating doctor , I would advice
do biopsy with histo-pathological examination of biopsy tissue to know grade of dysplasia . More dysplasia have higher chances of going into cancer .

Decision of surgical excision will depend upon histo-pathological examination of biopsy.

Till then use multivitamin multimineral antioxidant syrup twice daily .

Hope this information helpful to you .If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj