leukoplakia

Meaning of leukoplakia: Leukoplakia is a thickened white patch on a mucous membrane, most often in the mouth, that occasionally develops into cancer.

Definition of leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a white or grayish patch that forms on a mucous membrane, most commonly inside the mouth, though it can also occur on other mucous membranes elsewhere in the body. The patch forms when the surface cells of the mucosa thicken, a change that cannot be scraped or wiped away, distinguishing it from other causes of white patches in the mouth.

Leukoplakia is generally considered a response to chronic irritation, and tobacco use, whether smoked or chewed, along with heavy alcohol use, are recognized factors associated with its development, particularly in the mouth. Many cases remain benign, but a proportion of leukoplakia patches show precancerous cellular changes, and a small number progress to squamous cell carcinoma over time.

Because the appearance of leukoplakia alone cannot reliably distinguish a benign patch from one with precancerous changes, evaluation typically involves a biopsy of the affected tissue to examine the cells more closely.