22nd April 2024

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia refers to a white patch or plaque that cannot be branded as any other disease. Like erythroplakia, it is considered a potentially malignant disorder, with a significant proportion of cases progressing to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The primary etiological factors associated with leukoplakia include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, chronic irritation, and viral infections. Clinical diagnosis of leukoplakia is based on the identification of a white patch that cannot be scraped off and persists for more than two weeks. A biopsy is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis and exclude malignancy. Management involves eliminating or managing the underlying causative factors, such as smoking cessation, alcohol abstinence, and meticulous oral hygiene. Surgical excision or laser treatment may be necessary for dysplastic or high-risk lesions.

Image Source: Research Gate (2022). Homogenous leukoplakia involving the left dorsal/lateral tongue, Licensed under a creative commons licence. Available for free at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Homogenous-leukoplakia-involving-the-left-dorsal-lateral-tongue-image-provided-by-Guys_fig1_363796414 (Accessed: 23 January 2024).