leukoplakia

leukoplakia
A white patch of oral or female genital mucous membrane that cannot be wiped off and cannot be diagnosed clinically as any specific disease entity; in current usage, a clinical term without histologic connotation. SYN: smoker's patches. [leuko- + G. plax, plate]
- hairy l. a white lesion appearing on the tongue, occasionally on the buccal mucosa, of patients with AIDS; a manifestation of Epstein-Barr virus infection in an immunocompromised host; the lesion appears raised, with a corrugated, shaggy, or “hairy” surface due to keratin projections.Oral hairy l. was first recognized in 1981 as a marker of immunosuppression in male homosexuals with AIDS. The incidence in persons with AIDS is about 20%. Oral hairy l. consists of white vertical folds or ridges, generally along the lateral borders of the tongue, but sometimes on its lower surface or on the buccal mucosa. Unlike the lesions of candidiasis (thrush), the patches cannot be scraped off. The condition is ordinarily asymptomatic, causing neither pain nor alteration of taste. Histologic study shows parakeratosis and koilocytosis with little inflammation. The lesion occasionally progresses to squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment with topical podophyllin or systemic acyclovir usually induces prompt regression of lesions.
- l. vulvae a clinical term for hyperkeratotic white patches of the vulvar epithelium; biopsy is necessary for specific diagnosis.

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leu·ko·pla·kia or chiefly Brit leu·co·pla·kia .lü-kō-'plā-kē-ə n a condition commonly considered precancerous in which thickened white patches of epithelium occur on the mucous membranes esp. of the mouth, vulva, and renal pelvis also a lesion or lesioned area of leukoplakia
leu·ko·pla·kic or chiefly Brit leu·co·pla·kic -'plā-kik adj

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n.
a thickened white patch on a mucous membrane, such as the mouth lining or vulva, that cannot be rubbed off. It is not a specific disease and is present in about 1% of the elderly. Occasionally leukoplakia can become malignant.
Hairy leukoplakia, with a shaggy or hairy appearance, is a marker of AIDS. See also khat.

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leu·ko·pla·kia (loo″ko-plaґke-ə) [leuko- + Gr. plax plate + -ia] 1. a white patch on a mucous membrane that will not rub off. 2. oral l.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Leukoplakia — Classification and external resources The white lesion is an example of leukoplakia. ICD 10 K …   Wikipedia

  • leukoplakia — [lo͞o΄kō plā′kē ə, lo͞o΄kəplā′kē ə] n. a disease, sometimes precancerous, characterized by thick, white patches covering the tongue, gums, etc …   English World dictionary

  • leukoplakia — /looh keuh play kee euh/, n. Pathol. a disorder of a mucous membrane characterized by one or more white patches, occurring most commonly on the cheek, tongue, vulva, or penis: often medically insignificant but sometimes becoming malignant. Also,… …   Universalium

  • leukoplakia — leucoplakia; n. a thickened white patch on a mucous membrane, such as the mouth lining or vulva, that cannot be rubbed off. It is not a specific disease and is present in about 1% of the elderly. Occasionally leukoplakia can become malignant.… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • leukoplakia — noun Etymology: New Latin, from leuk + Greek plak , plax flat surface more at fluke Date: circa 1888 an abnormal condition in which thickened white patches of epithelium occur on the mucous membranes (as of the mouth or vulva); also a lesion or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • leukoplakia — An abnormal patch of white tissue that forms on mucous membranes in the mouth and other areas of the body. It may become cancerous. Tobacco (smoking and chewing) and alcohol may increase the risk of leukoplakia in the mouth …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • leukoplakia — leu·ko·plakia …   English syllables

  • leukoplakia — leu•ko•pla•ki•a or leu•co•pla•ki•a [[t]ˌlu kəˈpleɪ ki ə[/t]] n. pat a condition marked by one or more white patches on a mucous membrane, as of the tongue or cheek, usu. benign • Etymology: 1880–85; < Gk leuko leuko +plak , s. of pláx flat… …   From formal English to slang

  • leukoplakia — …   Useful english dictionary

  • leukoplakia buccalis — white thickened patches on the mucous membrane of the cheeks. See oral l …   Medical dictionary

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