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
leu·ko·pla·ki·a
leu·ko·pla·ki·a/ˌlo͞okəˈplākēə/
noun
the presence of white patches on a mucous membrane, especially of the mouth.
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