Definition
Definition
Leukoplakia are white patches that develop on the soft tissue of the mouth. This can include gums, tongue, or inner cheeks. The patches form over the course of weeks or months.
There are different types of leukoplakia that may appear in different areas of the body, such as the vulva in females, esophagus, or bladder. The information in this fact sheet will focus on oral leukoplakia.
Causes
Causes
Leukoplakia usually results from irritants, such as:
- Smoking, including cigars and pipes
- Smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco or snuff
- Rough teeth
- Rough places on dentures, fillings, or crowns
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Leukoplakia is more common in men after age 65. Other factors that may increase your chance of leukoplakia include:
- Tobacco use, especially smokeless tobacco
- Long-time alcohol use
- Suppressed immune system, which can occur with chronic health conditions or medications
Symptoms
Symptoms
Leukoplakia causes patches on the tongue, gums, or inside of the cheeks. These patches may appear as:
- White, gray, or red in color
- Thick, slightly raised, or hardened on the surface
There may be pain or signs of infection. The patches may also be sensitive to touch, heat, or spicy foods.
In some cases, leukoplakia looks like oral thrush, which is an infection also associated with HIV infection and suppressed immune function.
Oral Thrush—Resembles LeukoplakiaCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Untreated leukoplakia can turn into cancer. Some types of leukoplakia carry a higher risk of turning into cancer than others. If you have leukoplakia, talk to your doctor about your cancer risk and how often you should be evaluated or tested.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, including the area where the patches are. In most cases, oral leukoplakia can be diagnosed during an oral exam. Your doctor may do a brush biopsy to check for cancer. The biopsy sample is evaluated under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
- Removing the irritant—Quitting smoking or correcting dental problems often takes care of the problem.
- Removing patches—If the problem persists, or if signs of cancer are present, your dentist or doctor may need to remove patches of leukoplakia. This may be done with surgery, laser treatment, electrocauterization, or freezing.
Medications
If the patches do not fade as expected, your doctor may advise:
- Topical medications or solutions that are applied to the patches
- Medicated mouthwashes
- Oral medications, such as retinoids, vitamin A, beta carotene, or lycopene
- Antiviral medications—if the leukoplakia is due to viral infection (more common in people with suppressed immune function)
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of leukoplakia:
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how you can successfully quit.
- Avoid or limit your use of alcohol.
- See a dentist regularly, especially if you have rough places in your mouth.
RESOURCES:
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research http://www.nidcr.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association http://www.cdha.ca
References:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated October 24, 2014. Accessed June 11, 2015.
Hairy leukoplakia. DermNet NZ website. Available at:
http://dermnetnz.org/site-age-specific/hairy-leukoplakia.html
Updated December 29, 2013. Accessed June 11, 2015.
Oral hairy leukoplakia. AETC National Resource Center website. Available at:
http://aidsetc.org/guide/oral-hairy-leukoplakia
Accessed June 11, 2015.
Parlatescu I, Gheorghe C, Parlatescu E, Tovaru S. Oral leukoplakia—An update. Maedica (Buchar). 2014;9(1):88-93.
Last Updated: 6/11/2015