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
What is leukoplakia? Symptoms, risk factors and treatment
www.mdanderson.org › Cancerwise › 2024 › 09
Sep 18, 2024 · Leukoplakia is the scientific name for abnormal white patches that develop inside the mouth. ... Homogeneous leukoplakia: These lesions are relatively thin ...
Malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: Systematic review and ...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › ...
Sep 24, 2024 · Conclusions: OL presents a considerable malignant transformation probability that is especially increased in large non-homogeneous lesions in smokers, located ...
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 ...
Sep 18, 2024 · The management of oral leukoplakia (OL) is challenging because of a high risk for recurrence and malignant transformation (MT), and recurrent OL is associated ...
Sep 24, 2024 · Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most important oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) affecting the oral mucosa. It is considered a common condition with a ...
Sep 8, 2024 · Oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral lichen planus (OLP) represent two common oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), which are a group of lesions that carry a ...
2 days ago · Leukoplakia is a condition that causes white patches in the mouth, often associated with smoking and alcohol use, and may be a precursor to cancer.
Sep 18, 2024 · Alcohol and tobacco use are the top two risk factors for oral cancer. That's why leukoplakia is sometimes called “smoker's keratosis.” But leukoplakia can also ...
Sep 18, 2024 · Leukoplakia happens when one or more lesions or white patches form inside the mouth. This condition is known to develop into oral cancer in a certain percentage ...
Sep 18, 2024 · Anything that traumatizes the soft tissues of the mouth, like hard-bristled toothbrushes of ill-fitting nightguards, can cause leukoplakia.
