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Leukoplakia, Oral

Kathya M. Chartre, MD, Christopher Medrano, MD and Justin Ryan Andrada, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine Reviewed 04/2024
 


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

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

  • Elicit timing of onset, progression, and presence of pain...

TREATMENT

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

  • Treatment may include the following:

    • Some small lesions may respond to cryosurgery.

    • For 2 to 3 circumscribed lesi...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Follow-up appointments every 3-6 months during the first year following surgical removal, then annually thereafter based on anticipated risk and...

REFERENCES

1
Villa  A, Woo  S. Leukoplakia—a diagnostic and management algorithm. J Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2017;75(4):723–734. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

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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