Leukoplakie van het mondslijmvlies

Leukoplakia of the oral mucosa is a potentially malignant disorder, which means that there is an elevated risk of transformation into a squamous cell carcinoma. The term oral leukoplakia is a clinical diagnosis for a predominantly white lesion for which no other diagnosis for a well definable white lesion in the oral mucosa is immediately apparent . Oral leukoplakia is generally an asymptomatic disorder of the mucosa with a prevalence of less than 0.2 per cent in the adult population. Tobacco usage is considered to be the most important etiological factor. Malignant transformation into a squamous cell carcinoma occurs in about 2 per cent of patients per year. A patient with oral leukoplakia is generally referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who takes a biopsy for a definitive histopathological diagnosis. The outcome of the histopathological study, which may vary from hyperkeratosis to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, will determine the treatment. It is preferable that every leukoplakia is removed to reduce the risk of malignant transformation. Long term follow-up is indicated.