OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was to compare the accuracy of predicting malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia using the 585-620 nm detector when compared with data obtained with the 661-683 nm detector. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-factor retrospective longitudinal experimental study, whose factor will be DNA content (DNA ploidy) at 4 levels, G1 phase, S phase, mitosis phase (G2), and DNA excess (4cER). The sample is a cohort of individuals diagnosed with oral leukoplakia (N = 97) where 18 cases evolved into cancer and 79 did not. RESULTS: The DNA content parameters 4cER, G2, and G1/G2 ratios were associated with malignant transformation (P <
.05). Two analog algorithms of these findings generated positive predictive values (PPVs) of 38% (67% sensitivity and 76% specificity) and 40% (61% sensitivity and 80% specificity). DNA content by flow cytometry can achieve a PPV of 40% in high-risk lesions and negative predictive value (NPV) of 90% in low-risk lesions. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference among the percentages of nuclei in the G1, S, G2, and excess G2 (4cER) phases comparing the 661-683 nm and 585-620 nm detectors. The 585-620 nm detector achieved PPV and NPV equivalent to those observed with the 661-683 nm detector.