Leukoplakia
Also called: smoker's keratosis
Thickened, white patches inside the mouth.
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging rarely required
- Medium-term: resolves within months
Most leukoplakia patches are noncancerous, but some show early signs of cancer. They may be caused by tobacco products.
Thickened, white patches form on the gums, the insides of the cheeks, the bottom of the mouth, and, sometimes, the tongue. The patches can't be scraped off.
For most people, stopping tobacco or alcohol use clears the condition. In rare cases when patches are persistent, surgery can remove them.
Common: More than 200,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
What is idiopathic leukoplakia?
Idiopathic leukoplakia is a rare potentially malignant lesion, usually found on the tongue with an increased risk of malignant transformation as compared to the tobacco associated form. The risk of malignant transformation increases with age.
Mar 1, 2015
Is leukoplakia usually cancer?
If you remove the source of irritation, the affected tissue can sometimes heal. But see a doctor or dentist if it doesn't go away — or at least get better — within two weeks. Leukoplakia doesn't usually turn into cancer. But it can be a pre-cancerous condition, so it's important to get checked it out.
What deficiency causes leukoplakia?
Factors most frequently blamed for the development of idiopathic leukoplakia include chronic irritation, candidiasis, vitamin A or vitamin B deficiency and endocrine disturbances.
What is the best treatment for leukoplakia?
For most people, getting rid of the source of irritation — such as stopping tobacco or alcohol use — clears the condition. When these lifestyle changes do not work or if the patch shows early signs of cancer, the treatment plan may include: A surgery to remove the leukoplakia patches.
Mar 1, 2015 ˇ Idiopathic leukoplakia is a rare potentially malignant lesion, usually found on the tongue with an increased risk of malignant ...
You may develop leukoplakia because something is irritating the inside of your mouth. People with leukoplakia may have an increased risk of oral cancer.
Jun 19, 2023 ˇ Factors most frequently blamed for the development of idiopathic leukoplakia include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, chronic irritation, ...
Oral leukoplakia is a white patch or plaque that develops in the oral cavity. The condition is potentially malignant and is strongly associated with tobacco use ...
Oct 26, 2020 ˇ Idiopathic leukoplakia is a white-greyish lesion (patch or plaque), which cannot be removed, being asymptomatic and devoid of pathology.
Leukoplakia is a firmly attached white patch on a mucous membrane which is associated with increased risk of cancer.
Idiopathic leukoplakias have a significantly increased risk of malignant transformation than leukoplakias that are associated with a specific etiologic factor ( ...
It is usually closely related to smoking, although it may also appear in non-smokers, in which case it is considered idiopathic. OL has classically been ...
Jan 25, 2023 ˇ May be idiopathic, but is commonly seen in heavy tobacco users and consumers of alcohol or areca nut (betel quid). The majority are ...
Idiopathic oral leukoplakia (or just leukoplakia) is a clinical term for a lesion defined as a white patch or plaque that cannot be rubbed off and is not ...
