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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies
Published on: August 11, 2023
Laser excision of oral leukoplakia: Does it affect recurrence and malignant transformation? A systematic review and
Mariana de Pauli Paglioni1, Cesar Augusto Migliorati2, Isabel Schausltz Pereira Faustino1
1Oral Diagnosis Department, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a white lesion with high potential of recurrence and malignant transformation. The variable clinical and histopathological features of OL may potentially impact both treatment and prognosis. Current literature shows that post treatment rates of recurrence and malignant transformation vary widely. The use of surgical lasers have been proposed with the objective of improving outcomes. We performed a systematic review and a comprehensive meta-analysis dedicated to pooling the rates of recurrence and malignant transformation of OL lesions treated using the main types of surgical lasers available. Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase were searched electronically. A total of 36 articles met the inclusion criteria. Selected studies included OL lesions that were treated by evaporation or excision using Nd:YAG laser, Er:YAG laser, CO2 laser, KTP laser, or diode laser. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that surgical laser excision of OL may decrease recurrence rates but have no effect on the malignant transformation of OL when compared with conventional treatments.
