In 1978, oral leukoplakia has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as: 'A white patch or plaque that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease' (1).
General Considerations. Leukoplakia is a clinical term signifying a white, plaque-like lesion occurring anywhere on the oral mucosa. It is generally a reaction to irritation, such as cigarette smoking or tobacco or areca (betel) nut chewing, as well as an early sign of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
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There are no other useful diagnostic aids for the clinical diagnosis. The histopathological findings in leukoplakia range from hyperkeratosis without epithelial dysplasia to various degrees of epithelial dysplasia and even carcinoma in situ, frank squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma.
leu·ko·pla·ki·a [New Latin : leuko- + Greek plax, plak-, flat area; see plāk- in Indo-European roots.]
Leukoplakia is a condition in which one or more white patches or spots (lesions) forms inside the mouth. Leukoplakia is different from other causes of white patches such as thrush or lichen planus because it can eventually develop into oral cancer.
Leukoplakia treatment is most successful when a lesion is found and treated early, when it's small. Regular checkups are important, as is routinely inspecting your mouth for areas that don't look normal. For most people, removing the source of irritation ― such as stopping tobacco or alcohol ― clears the condition.
The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane lining or “skin” inside of the mouth, including cheeks and lips. People with oral mucosal diseases may develop painful mouth sores or ulcers on this lining. Mucosal diseases can affect any mucous membrane.
Oral lesions are mouth ulcers or sores, which may be painful. They can include abnormal cell growth and rare tongue and hard-palate (roof of mouth) disorders.
Leukoplakia is a clinical term only and refers to a mucosal white plaque that does not represent any other known clinical or histopathologic entity; it is therefore a clinical diagnosis of exclusion.
(1) Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are two clinical lesions widely considered to be premalignant. However, using clinical features to classify lesions is difficult because they vary in appearance and are likely to be interpreted subjectively by the clinician.
Oral leukoplakia is one of the most common potentially malignant disorders. Right diagnosis of potentially malignant disorders may help to prevent these lesions from malignant transformation.