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Oral Diseases Mar 2018Crispian Scully had many interests in the realm of oral diseases. But oral leukoplakia was one that piqued his curiosity when he was still an academic neophyte and... (Review)
Review
Crispian Scully had many interests in the realm of oral diseases. But oral leukoplakia was one that piqued his curiosity when he was still an academic neophyte and remained a topic which he studied throughout his enormously productive career. It is easy to understand why. While the clinical manifestations of oral leukoplakia are common, we still do not fully understand why one version of the condition is benign, while another, similar in appearance, progresses to a malignancy. The diagnosis of oral leukoplakia is based on expert clinical and histopathological examamination. Management and treatment of leukoplakia remain challenging especially for large lesions and the proliferative subtype. This review aims to provide a general overview on leukoplakia, explore current challenges in its diagnosis and management and discuss the opportunities to better understand the condition.
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Mouth Neoplasms
PubMed: 29480606
DOI: 10.1111/odi.12781 -
Atencion Primaria Jan 2020
Topics: Female; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Middle Aged
PubMed: 31029457
DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2019.02.008 -
Critical Reviews in Oral Biology and... 1995Leukoplakia has evolved as a clinico-pathologic concept over many years, with the current clinical designation being accepted worldwide. Reflective of the biology of... (Review)
Review
Leukoplakia has evolved as a clinico-pathologic concept over many years, with the current clinical designation being accepted worldwide. Reflective of the biology of leukoplakia is the concept of cellular atypia and epithelial dysplasia. Adding to a better understanding of leukoplakia in general has been the definition of relevant clinical subsets which, in some cases, includes etiology (snuff), while in other cases a verrucous clinical appearance will suggest a more aggressive anticipated behavior pattern. Tobacco usage, in many of its forms, remains the prime etiologic factor; however, other considerations also apply. More recently, the potential etiologic role of Candida albicans has been stressed, as well as its possible role in carcinogenesis. So-called oral hairy leukoplakia has been defined in relation to a possible Epstein-Barr viral infection, usually in the immunosuppressed patient. Other viruses, human papilloma virus in particular, have been implicated in leukoplakia, while genetic alterations involving tumor suppressor elements (p53) have also been investigated. Finally, the management of this common condition remains a variable and includes local, topical, and systemic therapies such as anti-oxidants, carotenoids, and retinoids.
Topics: Candidiasis, Oral; Epithelium; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Leukoplakia, Hairy; Leukoplakia, Oral; Mouth Neoplasms; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Plants, Toxic; Nicotiana; Tobacco, Smokeless; Tumor Virus Infections
PubMed: 7548621
DOI: 10.1177/10454411950060020401 -
Oral Diseases Sep 2016Various treatment modalities have been described for reducing or eliminating malignant development of oral leukoplakia, but no treatment has gained universal approval... (Review)
Review
Various treatment modalities have been described for reducing or eliminating malignant development of oral leukoplakia, but no treatment has gained universal approval due to lack of randomized clinical studies. At present, it is uncertain whether we can do harm to the patients by treating or by not treating them. An essential aspect is the observation of cancer development even after surgical removal of the clinical lesions. Inadequate resection of the lesions or field cancerization may account for this phenomenon. Another challenge is whether surgical removal of the lesions in fact is associated with a cancer promotional effect resulting in increased risk of cancer. Moreover, unidentified existing cancer in non-suspicious oral leukoplakias may for diagnostic purposes imply that surgical removal is recommendable as well as serial section of all excised tissue. Intensive follow-up programmes for leukoplakias are important, independent of surgical intervention.
Topics: Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26785709
DOI: 10.1111/odi.12443 -
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Feb 2023
Topics: Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Mouth Neoplasms
PubMed: 36724918
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.90a.22044 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2017Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a multifocal and progressive lesion of the oral mucosa, with unknown etiology, and commonly resistant to all therapy attempts with... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a multifocal and progressive lesion of the oral mucosa, with unknown etiology, and commonly resistant to all therapy attempts with frequent recurrences. It is characterized by a high rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma and verrucou carcinoma transformations.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the studies about Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and develop a concise update.
METHODS
A Pubmed search identifying studies (laboratory research, case series and reviews of literature) that examined patients with Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia was realized.
RESULTS
There are not enough studies about Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia in the literature. The few found studies not present a consensus about its etiology and diagnosis criteria. Although several treatment strategies have been proposed, most of them still show a high recurrence rate.
CONCLUSION
More research about Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is necessary to understand and treat this disease.
Topics: Female; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Male
PubMed: 28209441
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2016.12.005 -
Oral Oncology Nov 2021The aim of this report was to describe a rare case of leukoplakia in a young patient without any risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma. An 18-year-old male patient... (Review)
Review
The aim of this report was to describe a rare case of leukoplakia in a young patient without any risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma. An 18-year-old male patient presented with an asymptomatic white lesion on the right lateral border of the tongue. Microscopic examination of the excisional biopsy specimen displayed hyperkeratosis and acanthosis without epithelial dysplasia, which were consistent with the clinical diagnosis of oral leukoplakia. The patient is undergoing systematic and regular evaluation, and after 28 months of follow-up, no recurrence has been observed. This report showed that, although uncommon, adolescents and/or young adults can also be affected by oral potentially malignant disorders. Therefore, dentists should be aware of this condition to establish the proper diagnosis and management.
Topics: Adolescent; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Male; Precancerous Conditions; Tongue Diseases
PubMed: 34673455
DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2021.105565 -
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia... Nov 2015In the past decades several definitions of oral leukoplakia have been proposed, the last one, being authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO), dating from 2005.... (Review)
Review
In the past decades several definitions of oral leukoplakia have been proposed, the last one, being authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO), dating from 2005. In the present treatise an adjustment of that definition and the 1978 WHO definition is suggested, being : "A predominantly white patch or plaque that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disorder; oral leukoplakia carries an increased risk of cancer development either in or close to the area of the leukoplakia or elsewhere in the oral cavity or the head-and-neck region". Furthermore, the use of strict diagnostic criteria is recommended for predominantly white lesions for which a causative factor has been identified, e.g. smokers' lesion, frictional lesion and dental restoration associated lesion. A final diagnosis of such leukoplakic lesions can only be made in retrospect after successful elimination of the causative factor within a somewhat arbitrarily chosen period of 4-8 weeks. It seems questionable to exclude "frictional keratosis" and "alveolar ridge keratosis" from the category of leukoplakia as has been suggested in the literature. Finally, brief attention has been paid to some histopathological issues that may cause confusion in establishing a final diagnosis of leukoplakia.
Topics: Decision Trees; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 26449439
DOI: 10.4317/medoral.21007 -
Atencion Primaria Jan 2002
Review
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Prognosis
PubMed: 11820963
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and... Sep 1990Oral hairy leukoplakia, usually observed on the lateral border of the tongue, may herald the development of symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. This... (Review)
Review
Oral hairy leukoplakia, usually observed on the lateral border of the tongue, may herald the development of symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. This paper reviews the pertinent clinical features and differential diagnosis, histology, methods of establishing a definitive diagnosis, and management of the patient with this Epstein-Barr virus-associated lesion.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Diagnosis, Differential; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral; Receptors, Virus
PubMed: 2168906
DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1990.tb01566.x