Oral medicine and oral cancer: leukoplakia malignant transformation: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral medicine and oral cancer: leukoplakia malignant transformation

Sample item

Which clinical form of leukoplakia carries the highest risk of malignant transformation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Erythroleukoplakia (speckled)

Non-homogeneous, particularly speckled or erythroleukoplakic lesions, have a higher risk of malignant change than homogeneous ones. Floor of mouth and ventrolateral tongue are high-risk sites.

Option by option

  • A. Linea alba

    Linea alba is a normal ridge of keratin along the occlusal line.

  • B. Leukoplakia of the buccal mucosa that wipes off

    A white lesion that wipes off is not leukoplakia, as leukoplakia cannot be scraped off.

  • C. Erythroleukoplakia (speckled) (correct)

    Correct. Red and white mixed lesions show the highest transformation rate.

  • D. Homogeneous thin leukoplakia

    Homogeneous thin lesions are comparatively low risk.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Erythroleukoplakia (speckled). Non-homogeneous, particularly speckled or erythroleukoplakic lesions, have a higher risk of malignant change than homogeneous ones.

Why is "Linea alba" not the answer?

Linea alba is a normal ridge of keratin along the occlusal line.

Why is "Leukoplakia of the buccal mucosa that wipes off" not the answer?

A white lesion that wipes off is not leukoplakia, as leukoplakia cannot be scraped off.

Why is "Homogeneous thin leukoplakia" not the answer?

Homogeneous thin lesions are comparatively low risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine and oral cancer: leukoplakia malignant transformation in Dentistry. Floor of mouth and ventrolateral tongue are high-risk sites.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral medicine and oral cancer: leukoplakia malignant transformation?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.