Title
Evaluating patients with oral leukoplakia in smokers versus non-smokers: A clinico-histopathological study
Authors
M Latha1, R.M Lavanya2, Megha Modi3, Baby Thomas Chacko4, Rolly Gupta5, Kirti Nishant Vyas6 & Ramanpal Singh Makkad7,*
Affiliation
1Department of Oral Pathology, KGF College of Dental Sciences, KGF, Karnataka, India; 2Department of Oral Pathology, Rajiv Gandhi Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India; 3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, United States; 4Department of Radiological Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Oral Pathology, Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India; 6Department of Pathology, Dr N D Desai Faculty of Medical Science and Research, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat, India; 7Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, New Horizon Dental College and Research Institute, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India; *Corresponding author
M Latha - E-mail: lathashree_m@yahoo.com
Lavanya RM - E-mail: drlavanyarms@gmail.com
Megha Modi - E-mail: drmeghamodi2027@gmail.com
Baby Thomas Chacko - E-mail: bchacko@ksu.edu.sa
Roli Gupta - E-mail: rollyfating@gmail.com
Kirti Nishant Vyas - E-mail: kirtimdpathology@gmail.com
Ramanpal Singh Makkad - E-mail: drramanpal@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received May 1, 2026; Revised May 31, 2026; Accepted May 31, 2026, Published May 31, 2026
Abstract
Variable clinical behavior is seen in oral leukoplakia, a potentially malignant illness of the mouth that may be caused by etiological factors including cigarette smoking. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the features of oral leukoplakia lesions and epithelial dysplasia in 100 individuals, all of whom were either smokers or non-smokers, using a clinico-histopathological approach. Histopathological analysis was used to ascertain the extent of epithelial dysplasia after a thorough clinical evaluation that included the location, size, shape and duration of the lesion. Smokers were more likely to have leukoplakia on the buccal mucosa, whereas non-smokers tended to have lesions on the gingiva and tongue. Regardless of smoking status, histopathological investigation showed that moderate to severe dysplasia occurred in a considerable number of patients, even though mild dysplasia predominated in both groups. Thus, we show the need of biopsy and routine monitoring of all leukoplakic lesions, even while smoking is a major etiological factor for leukoplakia formation; dysplastic alterations and possible malignant risk may occur in smokers and non-smokers alike.
Keywords
Oral leukoplakia (OLK), smokers, non-smokers, potentially malignant disorders
Citation
Latha et al. Bioinformation 22(5): 3137-3141 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
