Leukoplakia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

'Leukoplakia' Classification and external resources
The white lesion is an example of leukoplakia.
ICD-10	K13.2, N48.0, N88.0, N89.4, N90.4
ICD-9	478.5, 528.6, 530.83, 607.0, 622.2, 623.1, 624.0
DiseasesDB	7438
MedlinePlus	001046
MeSH	C04.834.512

Leukoplakia is adherent white plaques or patches on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, including the tongue. The clinical appearance is highly variable. Leukoplakia is not a specific disease entity, but is diagnosis of exclusion. It must be distinguished from diseases that may cause similar white lesions, such as candidiasis or lichen planus.

Contents 1 Incidence and Prevalence 2 Causes 3 Treatment 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Incidence and Prevalence

Leukoplakic lesions are found in approximately 3% of the world's population. Like erythroplakia, leukoplakia is usually found in adults between 40 and 70 years of age, with a 2:1 male predomninance.

[edit] Causes

Leukoplakia has a multifactorial etiology. Most result from the use of tobacco products. It is thought to be formed by chronic irritation in the mouth. Bloodroot, otherwise known as sanguinaria, is also believed to be associated with leukoplakia.^[1]

5% to 25% of leukoplakias are premalignant lesions; wherefore, all leukoplakias should be treated as premalignant lesions by dentists and physicians - they require histologic evaluation or biopsy. Hairy leukoplakia, which is associated with HIV infection and other diseases of severe immune deficiency, is not a premalignant lesion.

[edit] Treatment

The treatment of leukoplakia mainly involves avoidance of predisposing factors — tobacco cessation, smoking, quitting betel chewing, abstinence from alcohol — and avoidance of chronic irritants, e.g., the sharp edges of teeth. A biopsy should be done, and the lesion surgically excised if pre-cancerous changes or frank cancer is detected.

[edit] References

• Kumar, Vinay, Abdul Abbas, and Nelson Fausto. 2005. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. Philadelphia: Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-0187-1

[edit] External links

• 00232 at CHORUS
• MayoClinic

v • d • e Oral Pathology: Stomatognathic disease (K00-K14, 520-529) Developmental Anomalies Anodontia/Hypodontia - Hyperdontia - abnormalities of size and form of teeth (Concrescence, Fusion, Gemination, Dens evaginatus/Talon cusp, Dens invaginatus, Enamel pearl, Macrodontia, Microdontia, Taurodontism) - disturbances in tooth formation (Dilaceration, Regional odontodysplasia, Turner's hypoplasia) - other hereditary disturbances in tooth structure (Amelogenesis imperfecta, Dentinogenesis imperfecta, Dentin dysplasia) Hard, Soft and Periapical Tissues Attrition - Abrasion - Ankylosis - Dental caries - Denticles - Erosion - External resorption - Fluorosis - Gingivitis - Impaction - Internal resorption - Periodontitis - Pulpitis - Ulcer Dentofacial Anomalies Malocclusion - Micrognathism - Prognathism - Retrognathism - Temporomandibular joint disorder Maxillomandibular anomalies Ameloblastoma - Cherubism - Congenital epulis - Odontogenic keratocyst - Torus mandibularis - Torus palatinus Salivary glands Drooling - Benign lymphoepithelial lesion - Necrotizing sialometaplasia - Ranula - Sialadenitis - Sialolithiasis - Stomatitis - Xerostomia - Aphthous ulcer Lip and Oral mucosa Angular cheilitis - Erythroplakia - Hairy leukoplakia - Leukoplakian - White sponge nevus Tongue Geographic tongue - Fissured tongue - Glossitis - Glossodynia - Black hairy tongue Other Velopharyngeal inadequacy - Toothache