Symptoms and preventive care measures of mucosal leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a symptom in which white spots appear on the mucous membrane. It mainly occurs in the oral cavity or vulva, so leukoplakia is mainly divided into two types: oral leukoplakia and vulvar leukoplakia. If these white spots are not removed in time, they will deteriorate into cracks or ulcers later, causing great pain to the patients. Next, I will introduce the symptoms and preventive care measures of mucosal leukoplakia.

1. Introduction to Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia refers to a white keratotic disease that occurs in the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, vulva, etc. Oral leukoplakia is more common in middle-aged men, while vulvar leukoplakia is more common in postmenopausal women. Clinically, it is characterized by gray or milky white keratotic patches in the form of dots, sheets or strips at the lesion site, which have a tendency to transform into squamous cell carcinoma. It is estimated that the malignant transformation rate is about 2%, and the highest is no more than 4% to 6%. In clinical practice, a comprehensive local and systemic treatment approach should be adopted, and cancerous tumors should be removed surgically as early as possible.

2. Symptoms and Signs

1. Leukoplakia of the oral mucosa

(1) Suffering groups and areas: lips, cheeks, palate, dorsum of tongue and gingival mucosa.

(2) Symptoms: The skin lesions are grayish white or milky white keratotic patches in the form of dots, flakes or strips with clear boundaries and hypertrophic infiltration. In the early stage, the surface of the lesions may have a milky white luster and present a reticular change. Sometimes a white film may form, which is firmly adhered and may cause bleeding if forcibly peeled off. Over time, the surface of the lesion becomes rough, with cracks and ulcers. Generally no symptoms. Sensitive to hot and cold stimuli, and painful after cracks or ulcers form.

2. Leukoplakia vulvae

(1) Suffering groups and sites: The lesions are common on the mucous membranes of the labia minora, clitoris, inner side of the labia majora, vaginal opening and vaginal vestibule, but not on the outer side of the labia majora and perianal area. The labia minora do not atrophy and the extramucosal skin is not affected.

(2) Symptoms: The skin lesions are white, grayish white, grayish blue, or purple-red keratotic patches. Single or multiple, the lesion characteristics are basically similar to those of oral leukoplakia. Most patients experience local itching. Scratching may cause eczematous changes, lichenification, fissures, and ulcers, and may cause vulvar stenosis.

It is generally believed that this disease is a precancerous lesion, and 5% to 10% of patients who do not recover for a long time may develop cancer. A very small number of men may also develop mucosal leukoplakia, which mainly occurs in the glans mucosa and may affect the inner side of the foreskin.

3. Preventive Care

1. Correct unhealthy lifestyles, such as quitting smoking. Insist on rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after meals, and keep your vulva clean.

2. Actively treat dental diseases and other vaginal diseases.

3. Actively eliminate irritating factors, promptly treat local infections and skin diseases; actively treat diabetes.