What is oral leukoplakia?

Oral leukoplakia (leuko=white, plakia=patch) is a white patch in the mouth that cannot be scraped off and
cannot be diagnosed specifically as something else. It appears white usually because of three main factors
alone or in combination: hyperkeratosis or excessive production of keratin (the white flakes that come off
when you scratch your skin), thickening of the surface layer of cells, or the presence of pre-cancer
(“dysplasia”) or cancer. Lichen planus, yeast infections (“thrush”) and chronic cheek and tongue chewing
injuries are some of the specific conditions that appear white in the mouth and are therefore not oral
leukoplakia. When all such known conditions have been ruled out, a patient is diagnosed with oral
leukoplakia.
Oral leukoplakia occurs in 1-2% of the population and is most common in patients over age 40. The more
common kind of oral leukoplakia is limited to one location in the mouth and is more common in men. It may
affect any part of the mouth, but is usually on the tongue, gums and inner cheeks. Research has shown that
oral leukoplakias on the underside of the tongue, floor of mouth and soft palate are more likely to become
precancerous/dysplastic. Some oral leukoplakias are not just white but may appear red, rough and warty or
bumpy. These too, have a higher chance of being precancerous/dysplastic.