Leukoplakia in short

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Disorder	Leukoplakia: typical lesion of the oral cavity that is distinguished by the formation of whitish plaques, often responsible for the perceptual alteration of the taste of food and discomfort within the mouth
Leukoplakia and possible neoplastic degeneration	Leukoplakia may be a precursor to neoplasms, although this degeneration is quite rare. (malignant transformation: 2-5% of subjects with leukoplakia)
Progress in research: future hope	The search for cellular markers aimed at perfecting the diagnostic criteria is a valid aid to predict the possible neoplastic progression of leukoplakia
Etymological analysis of leukoplakia	Literally, leukoplakia (or leukoplakia) means "white plate"
Incidence of leukoplakia	One of the most known and common "white lesions" affecting the buccal mucosa: Approximately 3% of adults can be found Very common among smokers It mainly affects men over 40 (because they are more likely to smoke) 1% of those in their thirties are affected by leukoplakia
Etiological research	The only demonstrable and proven etiological factor: smoking Other potentially predisposing factors: Systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency anemia, liver dysfunction, etc.); Allergies to materials used for daily oral cleaning; Allergic reactions to instruments used by the dentist; Abuse of alcoholic beverages; Minor trauma but repeated over time; Bacterial infections
Clinical picture of leukoplakia	Locations: oral leukoplakia tends to localize mainly at lingual, gingival, mucosal -bial and vestibular level Characteristics: white tongue, furrowed with apparently bloody reddish streaks, responsible for the striped, almost zebra-striped appearance of the tongue itself
Classification of leukoplakia	Homogeneous flat leukoplakia : the plaque is flat and slightly rippled, with white spots interposed to reddish arborescent streaks Verrucous leukoplakia: the superficial film that covers the plaque is irregular and characterized by obvious ramifications Uneven fissured leukoplakia: the lesion appears nodular, often also accompanied by erythro-leukoplas-
Leukoplakia diagnosis	Guidelines to diagnose leukoplakia Clinico-morphological aspect Presence / absence of dysplasia Localization of the lesion within the oral cavity dimensions Temporary diagnosis and definitive diagnosis of leukoplakia Provisional diagnosis: leukoplakia cannot be related to other etiopathological factors other than smoking Complete and definitive diagnosis: formulated according to the triggering pathological causes Histopathological diagnostic evaluation It is possible to identify a possible hyperorthokeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis or dysplasia, which could degenerate - the latter - into the most severe forms (tumor)
Resolving therapies against leukoplakia	The therapies are based on the elimination of causal elements Mild leukoplakia: spontaneously regresses (smoking cessation of cigarettes) Leukoplakia of medium or severe type (risk of dysplastic lesions increases): surgical removal remains the only solution