Candidiasis Causing Vocal Fold Leukoplakia: Review of Clinical and Pathological Results of 289 Cases With Vocal Fold Leukoplakia

Abstract

Objective: In laryngology practice, vocal fold leukoplakia is frequently evaluated by suspension laryngoscopy and biopsy examination upon the patient’s complaints of hoarseness and dysphonia. The purpose of the present study is to investigate and analyze risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results of cases with Candida leukoplakia. Study Design: Retrospective case control study. Setting: Tertiary medical center. Subjects and Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of vocal fold leukoplakia who underwent direct laryngoscopy and biopsy between 2007 and 2017 and diagnosed as candida or noncandida in their histopathology were assigned into 2 groups. Then they were compared in terms of their demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results. Results: Of the 289 vocal fold leukoplakia cases, 36 were candida, and 253 were noncandida. The mean age of the patients with Candida leukoplakia was 60.86 years. As for the age groups, the largest group (26.1%) was in the seventh decade ( P < .001). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was a significant risk factor ( P < .001). For their medical therapy, the patients were administered fluconazole 200 mg per day for 3 weeks, and the treatment yielded successful results in 91.66% of them. In 5 of the patients, candida leukoplakia and superficial epithelial dysplasia were observed, and no malignant transformation was observed during a mean follow-up of 28 ± 13 months. Conclusion: Candidiasis causing vocal fold leukoplakia is rare, and we report the findings of the largest published case series to date. Eliminating predisposing factors and administrating oral fluconazole 200 mg for 3 weeks are sufficient for medical treatment.