Malignant changes in glossal leukoplakia.

This paper reviews 117 cases of leukoplakia of the tongue seen at Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute between 1932-1972. After confirmation of non-malignancy by biopsy these cases were kept on follow-up for a varying period of time. It was found that 20 (17%) of them eventually developed carcinoma of the tongue. Of the others 11 (9.4%) developed malignancy of other sites. Of the 20 who developed carcinoma of the tongue nine died of their glossal disease despite treatment, two of other carcinomas and five of intercurrent non-malignant disease. It is submitted by the author that cases of glossal leukoplakia should never be totally dismissed from follow-up.