Related articles: Leukoplakia
Definition
Leukoplakia is a chronic lesion that appears as a pearly white patch, detected, rough or similar in shape to warts. It develops mainly on the mucosa of the oral cavity (gums, tongue, palate, cheek and pharynx), but it is not excluded that it may arise in other locations (vulva).
This injury can be discovered by chance by the same patient, dentist or doctor; only in some cases, in fact, this thickening causes an annoying burning and tingling sensation.
Leukoplakia is common in smokers and can be favored by chronic trauma and irritative phenomena (sharp edges of decayed or fractured teeth, sharp dental equipment, loose prostheses, etc.).
In addition to smoking, possible factors predisposing to the onset of this injury are systemic diseases (diabetes, liver disease, nutritional deficiency, anemia, etc.), alcohol abuse, allergies, infections and immunosuppression states (as in the case of AIDS) .
Leukoplakia may also have unknown causes.
Under certain conditions, leukoplakia is considered a precancerous lesion and must be kept under periodic control to promptly recognize any malignant transformation.
Possible Causes * of Leukoplakia
- AIDS
- Contact allergy
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis
