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 an oral leukokeratosis?
It is defined as “essentially an oral mucosal white lesion that cannot be considered as any other definable lesion.” Oral leukoplakia is a white patch or plaque that develops in the oral cavity and is strongly associated with smoking.
Is leukoplakia a cancer?
Leukoplakia may look harmless, but the condition may become oral cancer. Talk to your dentist if you notice white patches in your mouth. They'll examine your mouth and, if needed, refer you to specialists for tests and treatment.
How does leukoplakia go away?
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.
What percentage of leukoplakia is cancer?
Oral leukoplakia, the most common potentially cancerous oral lesion, progresses to squamous cell carcinoma at a rate ranging from 0.1% to 36.4%.
Apr 12, 2024 · A 47-year-old male patient presents to his dentist with an extensive lesion of the oral cavity. The man is hospitalized in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department.
Leukoplakia is a firmly attached white patch on a mucous membrane which is associated with increased risk of cancer.
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.
Leucoplakia is said to be associated frequently with remote foci of infection, including prostatitis, pyelonephritis, etc. One can differentiate leucoplakia ...
Oral leukoplakia has recently been redefined as "a predominantly white lesion of the oral mucosa that cannot be characterized as any other definable lesion; ...
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 ...
A 57-year-old man, first seen in June, 1952, complained of thick white areas, of eight years' duration, about the left oral commissure.
The meaning of LEUKOKERATOSIS is severely keratinized or ulcerated leukoplakia.
Feb 24, 2021 · As originally defined by the World Health Organization. (WHO), oral leukoplakia ( leuko = white; plakia = patch).
An autosomal dominant disorder that is manifested by thickened spongiform ORAL MUCOSA with a white opalescent tint. Other MUCOSAL TISSUE may also be ...
