Description

Leukoplakia (loo-koh-PLAY-key-uh) causes thick, white patches that form on the gums. The patches can also be formed in the inside of the cheeks and the lower part of the mouth. Sometimes the patches form on the tongue. These patches can't be scraped off.

The doctors do not know the exact cause of leukoplakia. But the continual irritation of tobacco — whether smoked, dipped or chewed, may be the most common cause. Long-term consumption of alcohol is another possible cause.

The most leukoplakia patches are not cancer. But some of the patches show the first signs of cancer. Cancers in the mouth can occur with areas of leukoplakia. The areas in white mixed with the red color, also called leukoplakia spotted, possibly, can lead to cancer. It is best to see your dentist or doctor if you have any changes in your mouth that do not go away.

A type of leukoplakia in the mouth called leukoplakia hairy primarily affects people whose immune systems have been weakened by the disease, especially HIV/AIDS.

Symptoms

Leukoplakia usually occurs in the gums, inner cheeks, bottom of the mouth under the tongue and, sometimes, your tongue. Usually is not painful and may not be noticed for a while.

Leukoplakia may appear as:

  • White or grey patches that cannot be deleted.
  • Patches with a rough, rough, wrinkled or smooth surface, or a combination of these.
  • Patches with the shapes and edges that are not regular.
  • Thick or hard patches.

White patches of leukoplakia may appear along with the raised, red areas called erythroplakia (uh-rith-roe-PLAY-key-uh). This combination is called leukoplakia mottled. These patches are more likely to show changes that can lead to cancer.

Hairy leukoplakia

Hairy leukoplakia causes blurred, white spots that look like folds or ridges. The patches are usually form on the sides of the tongue. Hairy leukoplakia is often confused with oral candidiasis, an infection that causes patches of creamy-white that can be deleted. Oral thrush is also common in people with weak immune systems.

When to see a doctor

Although leukoplakia does not usually cause discomfort, can sometimes indicate a more serious condition.

Consult your doctor or other health care professional if you have any of these:

  • White patches or sores in the mouth that do not heal on their own within two weeks.
  • Lumps in the mouth.
  • White, red, or dark spots in the mouth.
  • The changes in the interior of the mouth that do not go away.
  • The ear pain.
  • Swallowing problems.
  • The problems of the opening of the jaw.

Causes

The exact cause of leukoplakia is unknown. But long-term irritation of the consumption of smoked tobacco and smokeless — appears to be strongly linked to many of the cases. Often, the regular users of smokeless tobacco products to obtain the leukoplakia in places where they will have the tobacco between your gums and cheeks.

The use of betel nut, also called the nut of areca, can be a cause of leukoplakia. A betel nut of packets, such as smokeless tobacco, is held between the gum and the cheek.

Other possible causes include irritation:

  • Long-term, excessive consumption of alcohol.
  • Irregular, broken, or sharp teeth graze against the tongue of the surfaces.
  • Broken dentures or dentures that do not fit well.

Your doctor or other health care provider may talk with you about what may be the cause of leukoplakia.

Hairy leukoplakia

Hairy leukoplakia results from infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Once you have been infected with this virus , the virus stays in your body for life. Usually the virus is not active and does not cause symptoms. But if your immune system is weakened, especially HIV/AIDS, the virus can become active. This can lead to conditions such as hairy leukoplakia.

Risk factors

The consumption of tobacco, especially smokeless tobacco, which puts you at high risk of leukoplakia and oral cancer. Long-term, excessive consumption of alcohol increases the risk. Consumption of alcohol combined with the use of tobacco increases the risk even more.

Hairy leukoplakia

People with HIV/AIDS are especially prone to the development of hairy leukoplakia. The use of medications that decrease or inhibit the activity of HIV has reduced the number of people who receive the hairy leukoplakia. But still affects many people who are HIV positive. You can be one of the first signs of HIV infection.

Complications

Leukoplakia usually does not cause permanent damage to the inside of the mouth. But leukoplakia increases the risk of mouth cancer. Mouth cancers often form near the leukoplakia patches. And the patches themselves can show cancerous changes. Even after the leukoplakia patches are removed, the risk of cancer of mouth is still.

Hairy leukoplakia

Hairy leukoplakia is not likely to lead to cancer. But it can be an early symptom of HIV/AIDS.

Prevention

You may be able to prevent the leukoplakia if you avoid all tobacco products or the consumption of alcohol. Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about ways to help you quit smoking. If you continue to smoke or chew tobacco, or drink alcohol, have regular dental check-ups often. Mouth cancers are usually painless until advanced. Quitting tobacco and alcohol is a better way to prevent cancers of the mouth.

Hairy leukoplakia

If you have a weak immune system, you may not be able to prevent and hairy leukoplakia. But finding it early can help you to receive appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis

Most often, your doctor, dentist or other health care professional if you have leukoplakia by:

  • Looking at the patches in the mouth.
  • Trying to clear the white spots.
  • Talking about your medical history and risk factors.
  • Rule out other possible causes.

The tests for cancer

If you have leukoplakia, it is likely that your doctor test of a sample of cells from the mouth to detect early signs of cancer, called a biopsy:

  • Oral brush biopsy. In this test, cells are removed from the surface of the patch with a small, rotating the brush. This test does not always provide a definitive diagnosis.
  • Excisional Biopsy. In this test, a small piece of tissue is removed from the leukoplakia patch. If the patch is small, all the patch can be removed. The excisional biopsy, usually results in a definitive diagnosis.

If the biopsy shows that cancer and the doctor removes the entire leukoplakia patch with an excisional biopsy, you may not need further treatment. If the patch is large or if all this could not be deleted, you may need to see an oral surgeon or ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for treatment.

Hairy leukoplakia

If you have hairy leukoplakia, is likely to be revised by the conditions that can cause a weakened immune system.

Treatment

Leukoplakia treatment is more successful when a patch is found and treated early, when it is small. Regular check-ups are important. This is the check your mouth regularly for changes to your cheeks, gums, and tongue.

For most people, getting rid of the source of irritation — such as quitting smoking or the consumption of alcohol — clears the condition.

When these lifestyle changes don't work, or if the patch shows the first signs of cancer, the treatment plan may include:

  • Surgery to remove the leukoplakia patches. The patches can be removed with a small surgical knife. A laser, a tool that uses heat, or a tool that uses extreme cold can also remove the patch and destroy cancer cells.
  • Follow-up visits to check the area. Once you have had leukoplakia, it is common for it to come back.

The treatment of hairy leukoplakia

Usually, you do not need treatment of hairy leukoplakia. The condition often causes no symptoms and is not likely to lead to cancer of the mouth.

If your doctor or other health care professional recommends that the treatment, which may include:

  • Of medicine. You can take pills, such as antiviral drugs. These drugs can keep the virus of Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of hairy leukoplakia, which is under control. The treatment that is applied directly on the patch can also be used.
  • Follow-up visits. Once you stop treatment, the white patches of hairy leukoplakia can return. Your doctor may recommend regular follow-up visits to check for changes in your mouth.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your doctor, dentist or other health care professional. You may be referred to an oral surgeon or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

  • Their symptoms, even if they do not appear to be related to your condition.
  • Key medical and dental information, as the last of the symptoms and the treatment, if any.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbal remedies and other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to make the most of your appointment time.

Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is probably the cause of my problem?
  • There are other possible causes for my condition?
  • Do I need special test?
  • Is my condition likely to be short-term or long-term?
  • What treatments are there? Which would I recommend?
  • There are other options that the approach you're suggesting?
  • Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
  • Do you have any printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor or other health professional is likely to ask questions such as:

  • When did you first notice these changes in your mouth?
  • Do you have any pain or bleeding from the area of the problem?
  • Do you smoke?
  • Does the use of chewing tobacco?
  • How much alcohol do you drink?
  • Do you have any difficulty swallowing?
  • Have you noticed any lumps or bumps in the neck?
  • Do you have any pain?
  • Do you have any areas of numbness in the tongue or on the lip?
Symptoms and treatment of Leukoplakia