What is the malignant potential of leukoplakia?

The word leukoplakia means white patch (leuko-white, plakia-patch). It is considered as the premalignant lesions, but now included in a broader term for common usage of tobacco in the form of smoking and chewing. High-risk of malignant transformation is encountered if the risk factors are not eliminated.

Which leukoplakia has highest malignant potential?

Oral leukoplakia is the most common potentially malignant lesion of the oral cavity, it is estimated that the overall prevalence is 1.72-2.60% (1). It is defined as “a white plate of questionable risk, having excluded (other) known diseases or disorders that do not increase the risk of cancer” (2).

What are oral potentially malignant disorders?

Oral potentially malignant disorders refer to oral mucosal disorders with increased risk for malignant transformation, primarily to oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are the most common of these disorders, but others have been identified.

How is erythroplakia diagnosed?

Your doctor will determine whether your erythroplakia is potentially cancerous by taking a sample, or biopsy. A pathologist will examine the sample using a microscope. They’ll look for dysplasia. This is a characteristic of cells that indicate a higher risk level of the development of cancer.

Is leukoplakia benign or malignant?

Most leukoplakia patches are noncancerous (benign), though some show early signs of cancer. Cancers on the bottom of the mouth can occur next to areas of leukoplakia. And white areas mixed in with red areas (speckled leukoplakia) may indicate the potential for cancer.

Does all leukoplakia turn cancerous?

Most cases of leukoplakia do not turn into cancer. But some leukoplakias are either cancer when first found or have pre-cancer changes that can turn into cancer if not properly treated.

What is the most common malignancy of oral cavity?

Almost all of the cancers in the oral cavity and oropharynx are squamous cell carcinomas, also called squamous cell cancers. These cancers start in squamous cells, which are flat, thin cells that form the lining of the mouth and throat.

Which is more malignant leukoplakia or erythroplakia?

Erythroplakia is less common than leukoplakia and appears as a fiery red macule or patch with a soft velvety texture. It is associated with a significantly higher risk of dysplasia or carcinoma when compared with typical leukoplakia.

What are the two types of malignant tumors that occur in the mouth?

It’s divided into two types: squamous cell and basal cell. The most common type of lip cancer forms in the squamous cells, which are the thin, flat cells that line the lips and mouth.

What causes leukoplakia?

Although the cause of leukoplakia is unknown, chronic irritation, such as from tobacco use, including smoking and chewing, appears to be responsible for most cases. Often, regular users of smokeless tobacco products eventually develop leukoplakia where they hold the tobacco against their cheeks.

What kind of biopsy is done for leukoplakia?

If you have leukoplakia, your doctor will likely test for early signs of cancer by: Oral brush biopsy. This involves removing cells from the surface of the lesion with a small, spinning brush. This is a non-invasive procedure, but does not always result in a definitive diagnosis.

Is leukoplakia always cancerous?

What is leukoplakia of oral mucosa?

Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant disorder affecting the oral mucosa. It is defined as “essentially an oral mucosal white lesion that cannot be considered as any other definable lesion.” Oral leukoplakia is a white patch or plaque that develops in the oral cavity and is strongly associated with smoking.

How is cancerous leukoplakia treated?

Patches may be removed using a scalpel, a laser or an extremely cold probe that freezes and destroys cancer cells (cryoprobe). Follow-up visits to check the area. Once you’ve had leukoplakia, recurrences are common.