What is Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia refers to white patches that develop in your mouth. These patches may show up on the insides of your cheeks, on your lips, on or under your tongue, or on your gums. Leukoplakia can also develop on the genitals or in the area around the anus, but this is rare.

Leukoplakia usually goes away with treatment. In some cases, leukoplakia can indicate an increased risk for cancer.

What are the causes?

Many conditions can cause or increase the risk for leukoplakia in the mouth. These may include:

• Any type of tobacco use, especially when combined with the use of alcohol.
• Irritation of the mouth from rough teeth or dentures.
• Having a weakened disease-fighting system (immune system).

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptom of this condition is the development of patches or flat areas in the mouth. These patches may:

• Have an odd shape.
• Be hard.
• Be raised.
• Be white, gray, or speckled red and white in color. Some areas may be reddened.
• Be hard to wipe or scrape away. Scraping the patches may cause bleeding.
• Be sensitive to touch, heat, or foods that are spicy or acidic.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam. Your health care provider can usually make a diagnosis by closely examining the affected area.
• A test in which a sample of affected skin is removed and then checked under a microscope (biopsy). This test is used to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other serious conditions, such as cancer.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition may include:

• Stopping tobacco use.
• Repairing any rough teeth or dentures.
• Surgery to remove the patches. This may be done using a surgical knife (scalpel), laser, heat, or cold.
• Medicines that can be taken by mouth.
• Medicines that can be applied to the patches.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Avoid foods or drinks that seem to irritate the patches.
• Eat a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

General instructions

• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Check with your dentist to see if you need any repairs to teeth or dentures.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Alcohol use

• Do not drink alcohol if:
  • Your health care provider tells you not to drink.
  • You are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.
• If you drink alcohol, limit how much you have:
  • 0–1 drink a day for women.
  • 0–2 drinks a day for men.
• Be aware of how much alcohol is in your drink. In the U.S., one drink equals one typical bottle of beer (12 oz), one-half glass of wine (5 oz), or one shot of hard liquor (1½ oz).

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Develop new patches of leukoplakia.
• Notice changes in the size, shape, or feel of existing patches.
• Have a fever.

Get help right away if you have:

• Severe pain in the area of a patch, and the pain is not helped by prescribed medicine.
• Bleeding in the area of a patch, and you cannot stop the bleeding.
• A patch in your mouth that becomes so swollen that you have trouble eating or breathing.

Summary

• Leukoplakia refers to white patches that develop in your mouth. It can also occur in the genitals or in the area around the anus, but this is rare.
• A health care provider can usually diagnose this condition by closely examining the affected area. To confirm the diagnosis, a sample of affected skin may be removed and then checked under a microscope (biopsy).
• Leukoplakia usually goes away with treatment. In some cases, leukoplakia can indicate an increased risk for cancer.
• Treatment may include stopping tobacco use or repairing any rough teeth or dentures. You may also use medicines or have surgery to remove the patches.