Effectiveness of non-surgical treatment of leukoplakia: a prospective study from a tertiary center in north india

Background: Leukoplakia is the most common potential malignant disorder found in the oral cavity. There are several factors considered for its management such as habits, size, and site of lesion, type, clinical features, and histopathological features in order to prevent the malignant transformation of leukoplakia. Till date, many studies have been conducted, where only few have mentioned the correct management of Oral Leukoplakia (OL). Thus there is a need for a protocol in the non-surgical management of Oral Leukoplakia. So, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment of oral leukoplakia (OL). Materials and Methods: Hundred Clinically and Histopathologically confirmed cases were included in the study. Cases were treated conservatively by using topical Clotrimazole 1% and capsule Lycorich for 10 days. Then patients were followed up for next 3 and 6 months. In this most common type of leukoplakic lesion, type of habit becoming the cause, size of lesion and amount of response to Non-Surgical treatment were assessed. Results: Most common type of Leukoplakia was Homogenous Leukoplakia (76%), majority of patients had smoking habit followed by combination of Alcohol and Smoking habit (30%); Tobacco chewing and Smoking habit (23%) and only Tobacco Chewing habit (7%). Responses after 3 months of treatment showed that only 30% of patient showed 50% response. Whereas after 6 months follow up- 28% patient showed complete clinical response (100%). Conclusion: Thus within limitations it can concluded that conservative treatment is an effective treatment modality and obtained a good clinical response in the regression of lesion.