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
Dec 4, 2024 · Leukoplakia is the term used for a white lesion that is precancerous and is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a white plaque of questionable ...
Nov 25, 2024 · Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) occur in up to 4%-5% of the population, of which oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common subtype.
Nov 20, 2024 · Leukoplakia appears as thick, white patches on the inside surfaces of the mouth. It has several possible causes, including repeated injury or irritation.
Nov 21, 2024 · This phase IIb trial tests whether metformin works in preventing oral cancer in patients with oral leukoplakia (white patches) or erythroplakia (red ...
Dec 3, 2024 · Leukoplakia is a condition that causes white spots or patches in the mouth. These spots can be seen in the oral cavity. These plaques will not go away on ...
1 day ago · Studies in oral leukoplakia: a preliminary report on the period pervalence of malignant transformation in leukoplakia based on a follow-up study of 248 patients ...
6 hours ago · Oral hairy leukoplakia is a rare manifestation of EBV reactivation that predominantly occurs in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis can be made ...
3 days ago · Existing evidence indicates that a vitamin A deficiency can produce oral hyperkeratosis and that therapeutic amounts of vitamin A exert an anti- or ...
8 hours ago · Oral hairy leukoplakia is a rare manifestation of EBV reactivation that predominantly occurs in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis can be made clinically ...
5 days ago · Oral leukoplakia is a white patch that develops on the inside of the mouth and can be concerning for some individuals. It is essential to understand that these ...
