Leukoplakia is a precancerous sore (lesion) that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek in response to chronic irritation. Occasionally, leukoplakia patches develop on the external female genitals.
Alternative NamesHairy leukoplakia; Smoker's keratosis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsLeukoplakia mainly affects the mucus membranes of the mouth. It is caused by irritation. Sores usually develop on the tongue, but they may also appear on the insides of the cheek.
Irritation in the mouth may be caused by rough teeth or rough places on dentures, fillings, and crowns. It may also result from smoking or other tobacco use (smoker's keratosis). Persons who smoke pipes are at high risk for developing this condition, as are those who hold chewing tobacco or snuff in their mouth for a long period of time.
Leukoplakia patches may develop on the external female genital area, but the cause is unknown.
Leukoplakia may become cancerous.
The disorder is most common in elderly persons.
"Hairy" leukoplakia of the mouth is an unusual form of leukoplakia that is seen mostly in HIV-positive people. It may be one of the first signs of HIV infection. It can also appear in other people whose immune system is not working well, such as after a bone marrow transplant. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, but is not harmful by itself.
White patches usually appear on the tongue and sometimes on other places in the mouth. The condition may look like thrush, a type of Candida infection that is also linked to HIV and AIDS in adults.
SymptomsThe most common symptoms of hairy leukoplakia are painless, fuzzy white patches on the side of the tongue.
The skin lesions tend to have the following characteristics:
The typical white patch of leukoplakia develops slowly, over weeks to months. The lesion may eventually become rough in texture, and may become sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods, or other irritation.
A biopsy of the lesion confirms the diagnosis. An examination of the biopsy specimen may find changes that indicate oral cancer.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to get rid of the lesion. Removing the source of irritation is important and may cause the lesion to disappear.
You may need surgery to remove the lesion. The lesion is usually removed in your health care provider's office using local anesthesia.
Leukoplakia on the vulva is treated in the same way as oral lesions.
Expectations (prognosis)Leukoplakia is usually harmless. Lesions often clear up in a few weeks or months after the source of irritation is removed.
Oral hairy leukoplakia is often a sign of HIV infection and an increased likelihood of developing AIDS, but it is not harmful by itself.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any lesions resembling leukoplakia or hairy leukoplakia.
PreventionMinimize or stop smoking or using other tobacco products. Do not drink alcohol, or limit your number of alcoholic drinks. Have rough teeth treated and dental appliances repaired promptly.
Safer sexual practices minimize the risk of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV.
ReferencesDaniels TE. Diseases of the mouth and salivary glands. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 451.
Posner M. Head and neck cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 200.
Leukoplakia are patches on the tongue, in the mouth, or on the inside of the cheek that occur in response to long-term irritation. Leukoplakia patches may also develop on the outer female genitals.
Alternative NamesHairy leukoplakia; Smoker's keratosis; Vulvar leukoplakia
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsLeukoplakia mainly affects the mucus membranes of the mouth. It is thought to be caused by irritation, but the cause is not always known.
Irritation in the mouth may be caused by:
The disorder is most common in elderly persons.
"Hairy" leukoplakia of the mouth is a different disorder that is seen mostly in HIV-positive people. It may be one of the first signs of HIV infection. It can also appear in other people whose immune system is not working well, such as after a bone marrow transplant. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, but is not harmful by itself. The most common symptoms of hairy leukoplakia are painless, fuzzy white patches on the side of the tongue.
SymptomsSores usually develop on the tongue, but they may also appear on the insides of the cheek, or on the outer female genitals. The most common symptoms of hairy leukoplakia are painless, fuzzy white patches on the side of the tongue.
The sores are:
The typical white patch of leukoplakia develops slowly, over weeks to months. The lesion may eventually become rough in texture, and may become sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods, or other irritation.
A biopsy of the lesion confirms the diagnosis. An examination of the biopsy specimen may find changes that indicate oral cancer.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to get rid of the lesion. Removing the source of irritation is important and may cause the lesion to disappear.
You may need surgery to remove the lesion. The lesion is usually removed in your health care provider's office using local anesthesia.
Leukoplakia on the vulva is treated in the same way as oral lesions.
Expectations (prognosis)Leukoplakia is usually harmless. Lesions often clear up in a few weeks or months after the source of irritation is removed.
Rarely, it may become cancer.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any lesions resembling leukoplakia or hairy leukoplakia.
PreventionStop smoking or using other tobacco products. Do not drink alcohol, or limit your number of alcoholic drinks. Have rough teeth treated and dental appliances repaired promptly.
ReferencesSciubba JJ. Oral mucosal lesions. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 91.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/20/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Leukoplakia is the medical term meaning white plaques. These patches are typically found on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
Leukoplakia are white spots or patches that develop on the tongue or the inside of the cheek. Many people are affected by these white spots and they can easily be treated by your primary care physician.
Leukoplakia means white plaque.
Aids
ICD 9 CM Code 623.1 : Leukoplakia of vagina (not 623.11)
I call them Fred.
Patches on the mucous membrane of the tongue or cheek are called leukoplakia. They are white or grayish in color and can be caused by irritation or chronic inflammation. Leukoplakia can sometimes be a precancerous condition, so it is important to have them evaluated by a healthcare professional.
leukoplakia
Cervix plaque is a term applied to the substance, which is really just protective epithelium covering the walls of the cervix, due to the scientific name, which is known as "leukoplakia". Leukoplakia is just a tissue generated by the body to cover the walls of the cervix and create a protective wall/covering.
Leukoplakia is a condition characterized by thickened, white patches that form on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue. These patches are often caused by chronic irritation or inflammation, and although usually benign, they can sometimes be a precursor to oral cancer. It is important to have any persistent leukoplakia patches evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Leukoplakia
leukoplakia