Question
A 54 year old male,with a history of chewing tobacoo since 20 years presented with a white patch over the tongue.On examination a whitish patch was seen on the tongue,which could not be wiped off..Consider the following statements:
Assertion: The chances of this patch becoming malignant are sited from 1 – 17.5%
Reason: Homogenous variety is less often associated with malignancy.

A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Show Answer
Correct Answer » B
Explanation
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Ans;B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
The condition marked by a red arrow in the picture above represents leukoplakia.
Oral leukoplakia
- It is a white patch or plaque that cannot be rubbed off, cannot be characterized clinically or histologically as any other condition.
- Causative factors: tobacco use, alcohol consumption, chronic irritation, chronic cheek biting; ill-fitting dentures,candidiasis, vitamin deficiency, and possibly a virus.
- OL is considered to be potentially malignant, with a transformation rate from 0.6 to 20%..
- OL is classified in two main types: homogeneous type which appears as a flat white lesion and non-.homogeneous type which includes speckled, nodular and verrucous leukoplakia . The speckled type is a white and red lesion, with a predominantly white surface.
- Proliferative verrrucous leukoplakia is a subtype of verrucous leukoplakia characterized by an aggressive evolution, a multifocal appearance, resistance to treatment, higher degree of recurrence and a high rate of malignant transformation
- In all cases, the relative risk of malignant potential is determined by the presence of epithelial dysplasia upon histological examination.
- Surgical excision of oral leukoplakia (OL) may be considered.
- Frequent clinical observation accompanied by photographic records is recommended.