Leukoplakia

Alternative names:

hairy leukoplakia; smoker's keratosis

Symptoms:

• skin lesion/sore
  • usually on the tongue
  • possibly may be on the inside of the cheeks (occasionally on the genitals)
  • white or gray colored
  • thick, slightly raised
  • hardened surface

Symptoms of hairy leukoplakia:

• fuzzy or hairy white patches on tongue
• lesion is painless

Signs and tests:

A white patch that has developed slowly over weeks to months. The lesion may eventually become rough textured and may become sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods, or other irritation.

A biopsy of the lesion confirms the diagnosis and an examination of the biopsy specimen occasionally shows changes that indicate oral cancer.