Leukoplakia

Alternative names:

hairy leukoplakia; smoker's keratosis

Definition:

A precancerous lesion that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek as a response to chronic irritation. Occasionally, leukoplakia patches develop on the female vulva (the external genital area).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Leukoplakia is primarily a disorder of the mucous membranes of the mouth, caused by irritation. Lesions usually develop on the tongue, but they may appear on the insides of the cheek.

Irritation may result from rough teeth or rough places on dentures, fillings, crown, and so on. It may also result from chronic smoking or other tobacco use (smoker's keratosis). Pipe smoking involves a high risk for development of leukoplakia, as does holding chewing tobacco or snuff in the mouth for a prolonged period of time.

Occasionally, leukoplakia patches develop on the female external genital area, but the cause is unknown.

Like other mouth ulcers, leukoplakia may become a cancerous lesion.

The disorder is most common in the elderly.

"Hairy" leukoplakia of the mouth is an unusual form of leukoplakia that is seen only in AIDS, ARC and HIV positive individuals. It consists of fuzzy (hairy) white patches on the tongue and less frequently elsewhere in the mouth. It may resemble thrush, a Candida infection which, in adults, is also commonly associated with HIV and AIDS. Hairy leukoplakia may be one of the first signs of infection with the HIV virus.