Leukoplakia

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Hairy leukoplakia; Smoker's keratosis

The goal of treatment is to eliminate the lesion. Removal of the source of irritation is important and may lead to disappearance of the lesion.

• Dental causes such as rough teeth, irregular denture surface, or fillings should be treated as soon as possible.
• Smoking or other tobacco use should be stopped.

Surgical removal of the lesion may be necessary. The lesion is usually removed in your health care provider's office with the use of local anesthesia.

Some research has shown that vitamin A or vitamin E may shrink lesions, but this should only be administered with close supervision by a health care provider.

Treatment of leukoplakia on the vulva is the same as treatment of oral lesions.

Leukoplakia is usually harmless, and lesions usually clear in a few weeks or months after the source of irritation is removed. Approximately 3% of leukoplakia lesions develop cancerous changes.

Hairy leukoplakia is often a sign of HIV infection and an increased likelihood of developing AIDS.

• Chronic discomfort
• Infection of the lesion
• Oral cancer

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any lesions resembling leukoplakia or hairy leukoplakia.

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.