Oral Leukoplakia: concepts and clinical repercussions

Ruth Tramontani Ramos, Camilla Rodrigues Paiva, Andreza Maria de Oliveira Filgueiras, Geraldo Oliveira Silva-Junior, Marília Heffer Cantisano, Dennis de Carvalho Ferreira, Marcia Ribeiro

Abstract


Objective: the objective of this study is to review a literature on the update of recent concepts on oral leukoplakia (LO) and its clinical repercussions. Material and Methods: the articles found between the years 2010 and 2016, using the MEDLINE, PUBMED (Medical Publications), and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences) databases were selected using the following keywords: leukoplakia, squamous cell carcinoma, potentially malignant disorders, premalignant lesions, terminology. We selected 30 articles in Portuguese and English in their full versions. Results: the term leukoplakia represents white plaques that may be malignant, excluding other known diseases or disorders that do not show an increased risk for cancer. Conclusion: it was concluded that the concepts about oral leukoplakia raise a possibility for the potential for malignant transformation, highlighting the importance of diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords


Leukoplakia; Squamous cell carcinoma; Potentially malignant disorders; Premalignant lesions; Terminology



DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18363/rbo.v74n1.p.51

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