Leukoplakia

Last Updated: 2023-07-07

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: -

  • Oral hairy leukoplakia
  • Syphilis
  • Thrush
  • Lupus erythematosus
  • Lichen ruber planus

Swimmer, 1877.

Oral leukoplakia.

Nonwipeable, white, irritation-unspecific mucosal patch in which there is increased or abnormal keratinisation.

  • Age peak: 40-70 y.
  • Men > Women

  • Exogenous-irritative
    • Chronic, physical stimuli
  • Mechanical
    • Dental prostheses
  • Chemical
    • Nicotine abuse
  • Viruses
    • Human papillomaviruses, especially types 1, 6 & 16

Mostly solitary, but in some cases also multiple whitish to greyish areas with smooth to verrucous surface.

  • Clinical findings
  • Biopsy

  • Transition to
    • spinocellular carcinoma
    • florid oral papillomatosis

Chronic progression.

  1. Silverman S, Gorsky M. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology 1997;84:154-7. 
  2.  Aquilina C, Viraben R, Denis P. Secondary syphilis simulating oral hairy leukoplakia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2003;49:749-51. 
  3.  van der Hem PS, Nauta JM, der Wal JEv, Roodenburg JLN. The results of CO2 laser surgery in patients with oral leukoplakia: a 25 year follow up. Oral Oncology 2005;41:31-7. 
  4.  Bagan JV, Jimenez Y, Murillo J, et al. Lack of Association Between Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia and Human Papillomavirus Infection. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2007;65:46-9. 
  5.  Cabay RJ, Morton TH, Epstein JB. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and its progression to oral carcinoma: a review of the literature. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine 2007;36:255-61. 
  6.  van der Waal I, Reichart PA. Oral proliferative verrucous leukoplakia revisited. Oral Oncology 2008;44:719-21.Â