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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 the main cause of leukoplakia?
The exact cause of leukoplakia is not known. But long-term irritation from tobacco use — smoked and smokeless — appears to be strongly related to many cases. Often, regular users of smokeless tobacco products get leukoplakia in places where they hold the tobacco between their gums and cheeks.
Feb 15, 2024
How do I get rid of leukoplakia in my mouth?
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.
Feb 15, 2024
How can you tell the difference between oral thrush and leukoplakia?
Leukoplakia tends to present with no symptoms other than the appearance of white or grey lesions while thrush can cause throat and mouth pain. Unlike leukoplakia, you may be able to remove oral thrush lesions by scraping and brushing. Leukoplakia Symptoms: White or greyish patches in your mouth that can't be removed.
What is the survival rate for leukoplakia?
The average survival time with cancer was 64.3 months (10–221 months). The 5-year estimated survival with leukoplakia-associated cancer for patients with oral or laryngeal leukoplakia was 40.9% and 61.1% (p > 0.337), respectively.
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Feb 15, 2024 · Leukoplakia appears as thick, white patches on the inside surfaces of the mouth. It has several possible causes, including repeated injury or irritation.
Leukoplakia is a condition that creates white patches on your tongue, gums or the inside of your cheeks. The patches don't hurt but they don't go away.
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 ...
Nov 8, 2023 · Leukoplakia, or white and gray patches inside the mouth, may be caused by irritation. Or the condition may be a sign of oral cancer.
Aug 26, 2023 · Leukoplakia are white patches on the tongue, in the mouth, or on the inside of the cheek.
May 15, 2024 · Leukoplakia is a white patch or patches in the mouth. If you have a white patch in your mouth that does not go away, get it checked by a dentist ...
May 11, 2019 · Leukoplakia is a condition in which thick, white or grayish patches form usually inside your mouth. Smoking is the most common cause.
Leukoplakia describes white patches on the roof of the mouth, tongue, and gums. They are typically harmless, although some doctors think they are ...
Feb 15, 2024 · This mouth condition appears as thick, white patches on the gums, the cheeks and the bottom of the mouth that cannot be scraped off.
Last reviewed August 26, 2023 by Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, ...
