Oesophageal Leucoplakia: A Rare Case Report

Oesophageal leucoplakia (OL) is an uncommon benign condition of the oesophagus, marked by white mucosal plaques, observed during endoscopy. While leucoplakia 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).

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 leucoplakia with hyperkeratosis, lacking dysplasia. No oral or cutaneous lesions were identified. The patient received counselling on lifestyle modifications to mitigate risk factors.

Although rare, oesophageal leucoplakia warrants clinical attention due to its potential for malignant progression, particularly into squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopic monitoring is advised, in lesions with dysplasia or in patients with elevated risk profiles. Management primarily focuses on modifying lifestyle factors that contribute to mucosal irritation, underscoring the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors in preventing lesion progression.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. März 2025