Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a condition that creates white patches in your mouth. The patches don’t hurt but they don’t go away, even if you rub them. You may develop leukoplakia because something is irritating the inside of your mouth. Leukoplakia may become oral cancer, so your dentist may recommend you see a specialist to diagnose and treat it.

What are the types of leukoplakia?

There are two types of leukoplakia:

• Homogeneous leukoplakia: Homogeneous leukoplakia may look like a flat white patch in your mouth. The patch surface may be smooth, wrinkled or have ridges. This leukoplakia is typically benign, meaning it usually doesn’t become oral cancer. It’s more common than non-homogeneous leukoplakia.
• Non-homogeneous leukoplakia: Non-homogeneous leukoplakia may cause irregular or odd-shaped white or red patches in your mouth. The patches may be flat or have raised surfaces. Studies show that non-homogenous leukoplakia is seven times more likely to become cancerous than the homogenous type.

What are leukoplakia subtypes?

The two leukoplakia subtypes are:

• Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL):Some studies suggest more than 60% of people with PVL develop oral cancer. PVL may look like small white patches in your mouth. The patches can grow on your tongue, gums, the soft tissue between your lips and gums, and tissue lining the inside of your cheeks. PVL patches can grow very quickly and may develop tiny lumps or bumps.
• Oral hairy leukoplakia: This condition looks like its name — white hairy patches, often with folds so it looks like hair is growing out of the folds. These spots mostly happen on your tongue but might appear in other parts of your mouth. This leukoplakia type doesn’t become cancer. People with HIV/AIDS or Epstein-Barr virus often develop oral hairy leukoplakia.

Does leukoplakia always become oral cancer?

No, it doesn’t. Studies show less than 15% of people with leukoplakia develop oral cancer. Medical researchers are studying why and when leukoplakia may become cancer. For example, leukoplakia on your gums is less likely to become cancer than leukoplakia on your tongue or the floor of your mouth.

Not every white patch in your mouth will become cancer. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to expect if you have leukoplakia.

Is leukoplakia common?

Leukoplakia is relatively rare. It affects less than 5% of people worldwide.