Question 1

I get the most awful-looking white patches on my tongue from time to time. Is this leukoplakia?

Accepted Answer

No. Patches like this which come and go are a relatively normal condition of the tongue, often called furring. Indigestion, sleeping with the mouth open or not eating for an extended period may well be to blame. Leukoplakia, by contrast, is a permanent condition. However, there is a possibility that you are developing a yeast infection, which may spread if you do not have it treated. So it is worth having a check-up in any case if the furring is unusually persistent.

Question 2

My gynaecologist said I had a small patch of leukoplakia in my vagina and scraped it off while I was under anesthetic. Will the leukoplakia develop again?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. Scraping off leukoplakia with an instrument which either burns or freezes usually solves the problem for good. But the treatment is almost always followed up by regular inspections, and provided these are carried out, you can be sure that even if the leukoplakia does recur, it can be just as effectively removed by a number of methods.

Question 3

A friend of mine has told me that if I think I have leukoplakia I should go to the clinic specializing in sexual diseases. Is this true?

Accepted Answer

No. Your friend has probably read somewhere that syphilis, which is a sexually transmitted disease, can cause leukoplakia in its late stages. But this only happens very occasionally. So if you think you have the condition, you should see your family doctor first.

Question 4

If I give up smoking, will this reduce my chances of developing leukoplakia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Heavy smoking is one of the main, identified causes of leukoplakia, and removing this irritant will make you much less likely to develop the condition. And it is worth giving up smoking anyway.