Oral Leukoplakia Treatment & Management

  • Author: Christopher M Harris, MD, DMD; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Nov 17, 2011
 

Medical Care

Surgical excision of oral leukoplakia (OL) may be considered. Frequent clinical observation accompanied by photographic records is recommended. Because of the unpredictable behavior of dysplastic lesions, immediately obtain a biopsy on any areas that are suggestive or that change in appearance.[5] Cryotherapy ablation and carbon dioxide laser ablation are also used.[6] The area heals rapidly, and apparently healthy mucosa is left behind. However, uncertainty remains regarding the risk of invasive carcinomas subsequently arising in sites previously treated.

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Consultations

Consult an oral medicine specialist to evaluate etiologic factors and to determine the individualized treatment.

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Diet

Discontinue the use of alcohol.

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Activity

Physical activity is not restricted.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christopher M Harris, MD, DMD  Residency Program Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Tumor and Reconstruction, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Christopher M Harris, MD, DMD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David J Terris, MD, FACS  Porubsky Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Georgia

David J Terris, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Bronchoesophagological Association, American College of Surgeons, American Head and Neck Society, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, International Association of Endocrine Surgeons, Phi Beta Kappa, Radiation Research Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Triological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Nader Sadeghi, MD, FRCSC  Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director of Head and Neck Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Nader Sadeghi, MD, FRCSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Head and Neck Society, American Thyroid Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher L Slack, MD  Private Practice in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders

Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation Unrestricted gift Unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Syndicom Ownership interest Consulting; Oxlo Consulting; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position; Cerescan Imaging Honoraria Consulting; GYRUS ACMI Honoraria Consulting

References

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  2. Yang SW, Lee YS, Chang LC, Hwang CC, Luo CM, Chen TA. Use of endoscopy with narrow-band imaging system in evaluating oral leukoplakia. Head Neck. Nov 3 2011;[Medline].

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  16. Mincer HH, Coleman SA, Hopkins KP. Observations on the clinical characteristics of oral lesions showing histologic epithelial dysplasia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. Mar 1972;33(3):389-99. [Medline].

  17. Pindborg JJ, Roed-Peterson B, Renstrup G. Role of smoking in floor of the mouth leukoplakias. J Oral Pathol. 1972;1(1):22-9. [Medline].

  18. Shafer WG, Hine MK, Levy BM, eds. A Textbook of Oral Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders;1983.

  19. Silverman S Jr, Gorsky M, Lozada F. Oral leukoplakia and malignant transformation. A follow-up study of 257 patients. Cancer. Feb 1 1984;53(3):563-8. [Medline].

  20. Silverman S, Bhargava K, Smith LW, Malaowalla AM. Malignant transformation and natural history of oral leukoplakia in 57,518 industrial workers of Gujarat, India. Cancer. Oct 1976;38(4):1790-5. [Medline].

  21. Warnakulasuriya S, Johnson NW, van der Waal I. Nomenclature and classification of potentially malignant disorders of the oral mucosa. J Oral Pathol Med. 2007;36:575-580.

 
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