Dermatologic Manifestations of Oral Leukoplakia Medication

  • Author: Crispian Scully, MD, PhD, MDS, CBE, MRCS, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCSI, FDSRCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr(HC), ; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 10, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Retinoids are currently being investigated as a possible treatment modality. They appear to be very effective but can have severe adverse effects on liver function and may cause teratogenicity. Their beneficial effect appears to last only during the treatment.

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Retinoids

Class Summary

These agents decrease the cohesiveness of abnormal hyperproliferative keratinocytes and may reduce the potential for malignant degeneration. They modulate keratinocyte differentiation. They have been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer formation in patients who have undergone renal transplantation.

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Isotretinoin (Accutane)

 

Oral agent that treats serious dermatologic conditions. Synthetic 13-cis isomer of the naturally occurring tretinoin (trans- retinoic acid). Both agents are structurally related to vitamin A. In acne, its activity includes reduction in sebaceous gland activity, modification of keratinocytic adhesion, and anti-inflammatory actions.

If used to treat acne, at least 8 wk should be allowed between courses of treatment if re-treatment is indicated (because of possible continued improvement).

Prescriber and patient must enroll in FDA-sponsored iPledge system to receive this medication. Difficult to prescribe for off-label use (nonacne), especially because iPledge system does not allow use beyond 5- to 6-mo period.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Crispian Scully, MD, PhD, MDS, CBE, MRCS, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCSI, FDSRCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr(HC),  Professor of Oral Medicine, Bristol University; Co-Director of World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Oral Health-General Health; Emeritus Professor of Oral Medicine and Special Care Dentistry, University College London; Professor, Oral Medicine, Pathology, and Microbiology, University of London; Visiting Professor at Universities of Athens,Edinburgh, Granada, Helsinki and Plymouth

Crispian Scully, MD, PhD, MDS, CBE, MRCS, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCSI, FDSRCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr(HC), is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medical Science, British Society for Oral Medicine, European Association for Oral Medicine, International Academy of Oral Oncology, International Association for Dental Research, and International Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David P Fivenson, MD  Associate Director, St Joseph Mercy Hospital Dermatology Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan

David P Fivenson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Medical Dermatology Society, Michigan Dermatological Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Photomedicine Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Wound Healing Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Warren R Heymann, MD  Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

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Homogeneous leukoplakia.
Erythroleukoplakia.
Verrucous or nodular leukoplakia.
Carcinoma referred to as a leukoplakia.
 
 
 
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