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Leukoplakia, Oral

Kathya M. Chartre, MD, Kelsey E Gallagher, DO and Samuel Michael Leschisin, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Leukoplakia is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a white plaque of questionable risk having excluded (other) known diseases or disorders that carry no increased risk...

DIAGNOSIS

Leukoplakia is an asymptomatic white patch on the oral mucosa. 

HISTORY

  • Usually asymptomatic

  • History of tobacco or alcohol use or oral exposure to irritants

  • Elicit timing of onset, progression, ...

TREATMENT

  • All oral leukoplakias should be treated because they are potentially malignant.

  • Treatment may include the following:

    • For 2 to 3 circumscribed lesions, surgical excision is treatment of choice ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • 3–6 monthly follow-up appointments are the norm based on anticipated risk and patient preference.

  • Biopsy as needed

DIET

Regular 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • If...

REFERENCES

1
Nadeau C, Kerr A. Evaluation and management of oral potentially malignant disorders. Dent Clin North Am. 2018; 62(1):1-27.
2
Villa  A, Woo  S. Leukoplakia—a diagnosti...

ADDITIONAL READING

Reamy  BV, Derby  R, Bunt  CW. Common tongue conditions in primary care. Am Fam Physician.  2010;81(5):627–634. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

SEE ALSO

HIV/AIDS; Infectious Mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr Virus Infections 

CODES

ICD10

  • K13.21 Leukoplakia of oral mucosa, including tongue

  • K13.3 Hairy leukoplakia

SNOMED

  • 414603003 Leukoplakia of oral mucosa

  • 414952002 oral hairy leukoplakia (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • White plaque or patches on the oral mucosa that cannot be rubbed or easily scrapped off

  • Excisional biopsy is indicated for any undiagnosed leukoplakia.

  • After treatment, up to 30% of leuk...

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