Leukoedema:
Abnormality of the Buccal Mucosa which clinically resembles Leukoplakia .
Differential Diagnosis:
- White spongy Nevus
- Frictional Keratosis
- Witkop’s Disease
Clinical Features:
Early stage: Filmy opalescence of the mucosa
Later stages: Grayish-white cast with a coarsely wrinkled surface
Location: Most of buccal mucosa extending onto the Lips, Seen noticeable along the occlusal line in bicuspid and molar region
Not considering the Stages the overall appearance of the Lesion is
- Asymptomatic
- Bilateral
- Whitish gray
- Semitransparent macule of the buccal mucosa
Desquamation often leads to a eroded surface
When the cheeks are stretched outward, the Leukoedema disappear which is a typical feature to demarcate Leukoedema from other similar lesions
Etiology:
Unknown
Histologic Features:
- Increase in thickness of the epithelium
- Intercellular odema of spinous or malphigian layer
- Superficial parakeratotic layer of several cells thickness
- Broad Rete Pegs, which are irregularly elongated
The characteristic edematous cells appear extremely large and pale and are present in reticular pattern, cytoplasm appears lost and nucleus absent.
The clinical appearance of the lesion is due to the retained parakeratotic cells
Importance: Seen that it is a lesion which is most likely to develop into Oral Leukoplakia
Treatment:
- As Leukodema is not a Premalignant lesion, it does not require any treatment.
- But with the cessation of Tobacco products there can be considerable decrease in the lesion.
sir my name is diwakar and I am patient of leukoedema through biopsy test also there is numbers of fordice spot inside my mouth. please sir suggest any treatment by which it can cure.
Leukoedema can be treated only with cessation of the habit which is the cause. In case of Fordyce granules or fordyce spots there is no need to worry about them as they are not harmful and if you are having any problem in cosmetic appearance they can be treated with Laser CO2 laser or electro desiccation.
Thank you sir
Hello Dr. Varun,
First of all, thanks for the post. I have seen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon couple of times since last month. I was told Leukoedema and impacted wisdom tooth which he surgically removed. He is a nice doctor, whenever I ask him about Leukoedema he says just don’t worry about it. But I am feeling uncomfortable as it is paining at different spots, sometimes I also feel tongue pain which looks like tongue swelling and I can see teeth shape on the tongue.
I google a lot and read about all these diseases. I am afraid of cancer. I have been smoking for less than 3 years. I tried to quit several times but this time I hope I will quit permanently.
Please advise based on the above conditions. Do I have to worry?
If it is paining, it has to be looked into. As you are saying that you can see teeth shape on your Tongue, there can be a sharp or pointed surface on the tooth which can lead to the pain. Get the teeth checked by your dentist. Make sure that you visit the dentist when you have the swelling as this can help him / her access the exact cause of the swelling.