Oesophageal Leukoplakia: A Rare Precancerous Condition
Hiba Suliman1*, Shirisha Saripalli2, Faisal Nawaz3
1Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, United Kingdom.
2Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, The Grange Hospital, United Kingdom.
3Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, The Grange Hospital, United Kingdom.
*Corresponding Author: Hiba Suliman, Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, United Kingdom.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMR.2025.03.015
Received: July 07, 2025
Published: August 01, 2025
Citation: Suliman H, Saripalli S, Nawaz F. Oesophageal Leukoplakia: A Rare Precancerous Condition. SVOA Medical Research 2025, 3:4, 138-140. doi: 10.58624/ SVOAMR.2025.03.015
Abstract
We report a case of a 62-year-old female with a history of alcohol overuse and reflux oesophagitis, who had presented with a acute drop in haemoglobin. Suspecting an upper GI bleed, an urgent oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) was performed, which revealed a normal examination aside from a patch of whitish, scally plaque in the lower oesophagus, later confirmed by biopsy to be oesophageal Leukoplakia with hyperkeratosis, lacking dysplasia. No oral or cutaneous lesions were identified. The patient received counseling on lifestyle modifications to mitigate risk factors. Oesophageal Leukoplakia (OL) is an uncommon benign condition, with potential malignant progression, of the oesophagus, marked by white mucosal plaques, observed during endoscopy. While Leukoplakia is more frequently seen in the oral cavity, its oesophageal presentation is rare, leading to potential diagnostic challenges. The precise aetiology of OL remains unclear, though risk factors include chronic mucosal irritation from smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Management primarily focuses on modifying lifestyle factors that contribute to mucosal irritation, underscoring the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors in preventing lesion progression. Although there are no established surveillance guidelines for endoscopic follow-up in cases of oesophageal leukoplakia, individualized risk stratification is essential. Endoscopic resection either mucosal resection or sub mucosal dissection should be reserved for lesions demonstrating dysplasia.
Keywords: Leukoplakia, Oesophageus, Precancerous, Endoscopic Mucosal resection EMR , Endoscopic Submucosal Dissections ESD.