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The mystery of oral leukoplakia: Are these white patches really harmless?
In our mouth, we can often see some white patches, which are called oral leukoplakia. Although these white patches may not cause any symptoms in many cases, they are a potentially serious condition that deserves careful study and understanding.
Oral leukoplakia is clinically defined as "a white or gray lesion of the oral mucosa that is essentially incapable of being described by any other definable lesion." These white spots usually appear in different parts of the mouth and are closely related to smoking. More and more studies have shown that the occurrence of oral leukoplakia is related to a variety of risk factors, such as smoking, chewing tobacco, excessive drinking and eating betel nuts.
PathophysiologyThe combined effects of excessive alcohol use and smoking significantly increase the risk of oral cancer, but there is no clear evidence that alcohol contributes to the formation of oral leukoplakia.
The white appearance of oral leukoplakia is mainly due to the thickening of the keratinized layer, called severe keratosis. This white change in appearance makes the normally red mucosa difficult to see and may hide the underlying vascular network. Many smokers report that as their smoking habits increase, their oral leukoplakia also grow in number and size.
Classification and diagnosis
Based on clinical manifestations, oral leukoplakia can be divided into homogeneous type and heterogeneous type. Homogeneous leukoplakia (also called thick leukoplakia) is usually a uniform white patch, while non-homogeneous leukoplakia appears uneven in color and may also have an irregular surface texture. These different types of leukoplakia also have different risks for cancerous changes.
Studies have found that the risk of canceration in heterogeneous leukoplakia is significantly higher than that in homogeneous leukoplakia.
Causes and risk factors
The specific cause of oral leukoplakia is still unclear, but many studies have pointed out that smoking is the main cause of the disease. The proportion of cigarette use is as high as 80% of vitiligo patients have a history of smoking. After quitting smoking, the white spots in most patients will be significantly reduced or even disappear.
Frustration and Impact
Most oral leukoplakia do not cause any pain, however, in some cases, patients may experience discomfort or pain. It is important to note that data show that there is a close link between the presence of oral leukoplakia and the formation of oral cancer, and the incidence of leukoplakia increases with age. Among men over 70 years old, the incidence rate can even reach 8%.
ConclusionThe test report pointed out that the possibility of local leukoplakia transforming into squamous cell carcinoma is less than 10%, while the risk of transformation of diffuse leukoplakia is as high as 70%-100%.
Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant lesion that requires high attention. Regular examinations and appropriate health education are essential. Although many oral leukoplakia may appear harmless at first glance, the risk of turning into cancer should not be underestimated. Have you ever noticed these white spots in your mouth and wondered what they really mean?
