What is it?
Leukoplakia is a
white lesion of the
mouth mucosa, not associated with trauma or infections, which is potentially
malignant and affects 3% of the global population.
How is it manifest?
There are two forms of Leukoplakia:
-
Homogeneous leukoplakia: white lesions consistent in colour and texture throughout the
lesion; they can be thin, smooth, translucent or shiny; in any region of the
mouth.
-
Non-homogeneous leukoplakia: white or white and red lesions, with different consistency and
texture throughout the lesion; may be warty, mottled, nodular, or granular; in
any region of the mouth.
What is the treatment for leukoplakia?
According to the new 2019 guidelines, the
treatment includes:
-
Elimination of individual risk
factors: for example, quitting smoking.
-
Lesion excision, guided by
innovative auxiliary techniques, to assess the true extent of the lesion and
eliminate all affected cells.
-
Regular follow-up and “forever”
in an Oral Medicine consultation.
What is the potential of turning into
cancer?
The overall risk of a leukoplakia turning
into cancer is 1-2%.
In certain situations, this rate can reach
levels of 60-80%.
The risk will depend on several factors:
the type of leukoplakia, whether it presents dysplasia or not, the size of the
leukoplakia, whether there are multiple leukoplakia spread through the mouth,
whether the individual has interrupted risky habits (such as smoking), among
others.
What is innovative about us?
At Instituto Português da Face, one of our
great pillars is Excellence in Medicine, and it is for this reason, to our
great satisfaction, that we have one of the most innovative techniques for the
diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of Leukoplasia in Oral Medicine: Contact
Endoscopy.
Medicine evolves, and the Physician must
update and evolve with Medicine. Currently, according to the new Leukoplakia
guidelines, this should be evaluated with clinical and histopathological
examination, through innovative optical diagnostic aids, which should be
adjuvants.
If you notice a white lesion in your mouth and
you don't know what it means, or if you've been told “it was nothing” but
you're still uncomfortable and doubtful, don't hesitate to contact us for an
Oral Medicine evaluation.