Highlights & Basics
- Oral leukoplakia presents as white plaques of questionable risk, diagnosed when other known diseases or disorders that carry no risk for oral cancer have been excluded.
- Multiple clinical forms exist: homogeneous, speckled, nodular, and verrucous.
- May be idiopathic, but is commonly seen in heavy tobacco users and consumers of alcohol or areca nut (betel quid).
- The majority are histologically benign with a wide range of histologic characteristics. Grading of dysplasia assists in selecting management options.
- Certain leukoplakias, particularly nonhomogeneous leukoplakias, such as speckled leukoplakia and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, have a significant risk of malignant transformation. They require habit intervention and frequent and careful follow-up, often with biopsy confirmation or definition of the biologic nature of the leukoplakia over time.
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Lodi G, Franchini R, Warnakulasuriya S, et al. Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jul 29;(7):CD001829.[Abstract][Full Text]
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