The relationship between oral leukoplakia and malignant potentiality: Clinicopathological study and analysis of the p53 gene mutation

Abstract

Malignant potentiality in oral leukoplakia was studied by evaluating the p53 gene. The p53 gene mutation was examined using the PCR-DGGE method in cases of malignant transformation. The p53 gene could be conveniently detected using conventional paraffinembedded specimens. Nine out of 124 cases of oral leukoplakia showed malignant transformation. Three out of 5 cases of leukoplakia were accompanied with ulcers, and 4 out of 6 cases had the pathological diagnosis of dysplasia transformed into malignancy. The p53 gene mutation was found in 1 out of 9 cases with malignant transformation .