LEUKOPLAKIA

General Information

DEFINITION--A thickened area in the delicate lining of the mouth or tongue. This is not contagious, but it may be premalignant.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Inside of cheek; floor of mouth; tongue; palate; roof of mouth.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages, but most common in adults over 60.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Sensitivity to hot and spicy food.
• A small white patch in the mouth. The patch feels firm, rough and stiff.
• No symptoms in the early stages.

CAUSES--

Some are unknown; others include:

• Deficiency of vitamins A or B.
• Deficiency of male or female hormones.
• Syphilis.
• Chronic irritation in the mouth. The irritation may be from jagged teeth, ill-fitting dentures, hot or spicy food, excess alcohol consumption or nicotine.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe or cigars.
• Dentures.
• Repeated or chronic trauma to oral regions (biting inside of cheek or lip).
• Alcohol consumption.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Don't smoke or use tobacco products.
• Inspect the mouth regularly if you wear dentures or smoke.
• Decrease consumption of hot or highly seasoned foods if suspicious lesions develop.
• Avoid alcohol.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor or dentist.
• Biopsy (See Glossary).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Surgery to remove the lesions.
• Patches may be surgically removed (cryosurgery) using a local anesthetic.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• The lesion may become cancerous if untreated (about 5% of patients).
• New lesions may develop after treatment.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Sometimes curable with removal of the source of irritation (such as tobacco) or with surgery.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Any recognizable irritation should be corrected or removed. Eliminate tobacco and alcohol (including alcoholic mouthwashes). Lesions may clear up after these factors are removed.
• Following surgery or biopsy: If bleeding occurs, press cotton gauze gently for 5 minutes against the operation site. 24 hours after the operation, rinse the mouth with a warm salt-water solution. Use 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water. Repeat every 1 or 2 hours. Brush and floss teeth often and use antiseptic mouthwash during the healing process. A clean mouth heals faster.

MEDICATION--

• For minor pain, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen.
• Your doctor may prescribe topical or oral forms of vitamin A (sometimes).

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--Liquid or soft diet for 24 hours; then no special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of leukoplakia.
• The following occurs after surgery: Bleeding after 12 hours or more. Severe pain.