The definition of oral leukoplakia has undergone numerous revisions from its introduction in the medical literature. It is now defined as a white plaque that is diagnosed after excluding all other potential diagnoses that are not predisposing lesions for a malignant disease [1] [2]. The lesion is either flat or elevated, homogeneous or non-homogeneous, and often has an irregular surface and border [3]. Furthermore, non-homogeneous oral leukoplakia can be further divided into speckled, nodular (the formation of polyploids is observed) and verrucous (the most proliferative type), based on its appearance on clinical examination [3] [4]. The overall prevalence rate is estimated around 2%. Its appearance is primarily seen in adults over 40 years of age and is significantly associated with cigarette smoking [1] [2] [4] [5]. In fact, cigarette smoking was confirmed as a factor in the pathogenesis of this oral lesion after studies confirmed that cessation of smoking leads to complete resolution of oral leukoplakia [1]. Other potential risk factors include alcohol consumption and deficiency of beta-carotene, which is related to poor nutrition [3] [6]. This lesion can appear at any location within the oral cavity and its presence is much more frequently noted in males [4]. Although it is painless and may seem as a benign occurrence, many studies have reported that it has potential for malignant transformation into oral squamous carcinoma in 1-36% cases [2] [6] [7]. For this reason, early recognition is pivotal.

• Diarrhea

  Avoid with diarrhea or high or low blood pressure. Avoid taking pomegranate fruit husk with oil or fats to treat parasites. Pomegranate root/stem bark should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. [livingnaturally.com]

• Lesion of the Tongue

  This was especially evident for lesions of the tongue when compared to the others. CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis increases during the transition from OL through dysplasia to OL-OSCC. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The KaplaneMeier curves for time to recurrence showed differences only for gingiva lesions compared to tongue lesions (log rank, p ¼ 0.032). [diposit.ub.edu]

  Leukoplakia is a term used to describe white lesions on the tongue, gums, and mouth lining. Patches may also appear transparent or gray and usually have at least one area with a clear margin. Cracking may also occur. [medicalnewstoday.com]

  Ankyloglossia Black hairy tongue Caviar tongue Crenated tongue Cunnilingus tongue Fissured tongue Foliate papillitis Glossitis Geographic tongue Median rhomboid glossitis Transient lingual papillitis Glossoptosis Hypoglossia Lingual thyroid Macroglossia [en.wikipedia.org]

• Osteoporosis

  Vigorous use of water jets should be avoided with fractures, known blood clots, bleeding disorders, severe osteoporosis, open wounds, or during pregnancy. [livingnaturally.com]

Oral leukoplakia has a broad differential diagnosis, and the most important conditions that need to be excluded during workup are: early stages of oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush), hairy leukoplakia (a constitutive feature of human immunodeficiency virus - HIV infection), lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, secondary syphilis, leukoedema, frictional keratosis, and aspirin burns [1] [2]. For these conditions to be excluded, a detailed patient history and a thorough physical examination of the entire body is mandatory. Physicians must inspect the entire oral cavity, particularly the sublingual region where this lesion potentially develops and is often missed. The current diagnostic criteria, in addition to clinical findings and exclusion of other potential diagnoses, rely on obtaining a biopsy sample and subsequent histopathological examination, an essential step to confirm the diagnosis [1] [2] [4]. Epithelial dysplasia, and its severity, ranging from absent (P0) to severe (P2, which may be even classified as carcinoma in situ and thus can lead to oral squamous carcinoma) determines the stage of oral leukoplakia [1] [8]. Together with the size of the lesion (the diameter of either one or multiple leukoplakias < 2cm, 2-4 cm or > 4 cm are designated as L1, L2, and L3), oral leukoplakias are staged from 1 (L1 and P0) to 4 (L3 and P1 or L of any stage and P2) [1].

Complete regression was achieved in all 72 OLM lesions after a mean of 3.3 ± 1.3 cryogun cryotherapy treatments. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Prognosis is poor for this seemingly harmless-appearing white lesion of the oral mucosa. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Therapy is usually not indicated The diagnosis of leukoplakia is suspected in patients presenting with a white lesion of the oral mucosa that cannot be wiped off with a gauze and that persists after eliminating potential etiologic factors, such as mechanical [smartypance.com]

It is suggested that this new type of oral leukoplakia has a viral etiology. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Our results regarding the epidemiology of OL showed a similar trend to those reported in western populations and provided preliminary epidemiological information on the Chinese population. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Epidemiology Frequency International OL occurs in fewer than 1% of individuals. Mortality/Morbidity OL is considered to be potentially malignant, with a transformation rate in various studies and locations that range from 0.6 to 20%. [emedicine.medscape.com]

Global epidemiology of areca nut usage. Addict Biol 2002; 7 : 77–83. 5. Kramer IR, Lucas RB, Pindborg JJ, Sobin LH. Definition of leukoplakia and related lesions: an aid to studies on oral precancer. [nature.com]

Epidemiological studies from the USA, India, Pakistan, and Sweden provide sound evidence that smokeless tobacco causes oral cancer in humans (Cogliano et al., 2004). [who.int]

Patient Characteristics, Medical, and Epidemiological Variables as Predictors for Cancer Table 1 ⇓ summarizes patients’ demographic, medical, and epidemiological variables and their prognostic value for cancer development. [clincancerres.aacrjournals.org]

AIDS Pathophysiology AIDS Transmission AIDS Treatment AIDS Prognosis History of AIDS AIDS Stigma [news-medical.net]

Thus, idiopathic leukoplakia is considered a premalignant lesion. [1, 2] Pathophysiology The etiology of most cases of OL is unknown (idiopathic). [emedicine.medscape.com]

Etiology Pathophysiology Oral mucosal lesions can appear white because of thickening of the epithelium (acanthosis), the production of excess keratin on the epithelial surface (hyperacanthosis), or accumulations of surface organisms or debris (pseudomembranes [dermatologyadvisor.com]

Pathophysiology [ edit ] Tumor suppressor genes [ edit ] Tumor suppressor genes are genes involved in the regulation of normal cell turnover and apoptosis (programmed cell death). [27] One of the most studied tumor suppressor genes is p53, which is found [en.wikipedia.org]

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of treatments for leukoplakia in preventing oral cancer. [cochrane.org]

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of treatments for leukoplakia in preventing oral cancer. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Prevention of OHL is heavily reliant on the early diagnosis and treatment of HIV with current U.S. guidelines recommending treatment upon diagnosis. [verywell.com]

In short, excisional biopsy of OL does not prevent malignant transformation (primary prevention), but it does promote early diagnosis of cancer (secondary prevention) and is indicated for every lesion [ 13 ]. [oapublishinglondon.com]

Prevention of Oral Leukoplakia Prevent leukoplakia by eliminating any irritating factors for the mouth. The following actions may help : Stop using tobacco products. [mouthandteeth.com]

1. Brouns EREA, Baart JA, Bloemena E, Karagozoglu H, van der Waal I. The relevance of uniform reporting in oral leukoplakia: Definition, certainty factor and staging based on experience with 275 patients. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2013;18(1):e19-e26.
2. Van der Waal I. Oral leukoplakia, the ongoing discussion on definition and terminology. Medicina Oral, Patología Oral y Cirugía Bucal. 2015;20(6):e685-e692.
3. Parlatescu I, Gheorghe C, Coculescu E, Tovaru S. Oral Leukoplakia – an Update. Mædica. 2014;9(1):88-93.
4. Mutalik S, Mutalik VS, Pai KM, Naikmasur VG, Phaik KS. Oral Leukoplakia – Is Biopsy at the Initial Appointment a Must? Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR. 2014;8(8):ZC04-ZC07.
5. Petti S. Pooled estimate of world leukoplakia prevalence: a systematic review. Oral Oncol. 2003;39(8):770-780.
6. Fan J-H, Wang J-B, Qu C-X, et al. Association between Oral Leukoplakia and Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers: A 28-year Follow-up Study in the Linxian General Population Trial. Oral Oncol. 2014;50(10):971-975.
7. Yanik EL, Katki HA, Silverberg MJ, Manos MM, Engels EA, Chaturvedi AK. Leukoplakia, oral cavity cancer risk, and cancer survival in the U.S. elderly. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2015;8(9):857-863.
8. Abe M, Yamashita S, Mori Y, et al. High-risk oral leukoplakia is associated with aberrant promoter methylation of multiple genes. BMC Cancer. 2016;16:350.