Article information
Abstract
Dermatology departments are currently seeing an increase in the number of cases of oral diseases. Of note among the range of lesions covered by this broad area of knowledge is oral leukoplakia—the most common precancerous lesion and the most problematic in terms of both diagnosis and therapeutic management.
In addition to defining leukoplakia, this review also establishes a differential diagnosis with the other most important oral diseases and analyzes the different clinical, histologic, and molecular features that can provide an indication of the risk of malignant transformation. Finally, a therapeutic algorithm is presented to help us optimize clinical management of the disease.
Key words:
leukoplakia
tobacco
therapy
risk of transformation
Resumen
Actualmente existe un incremento del número de casos de patología oral en los servicios de Dermatología. Dentro de las diversas lesiones que forman parte de esta amplia área de conocimiento destacamos la leucoplasia oral, por ser la lesión mucosa precancerosa más frecuente y la que mayores problemas origina tanto en su diagnóstico como en su manejo terapéutico. En esta revisión, además de definir la leucoplasia, establecemos un diagnóstico diferencial con el resto de las patologías orales más importantes y analizamos los diversos parámetros clínicos, histológicos y moleculares que definen el riesgo de transformación maligna de esta patología. Finalmente se establece un algoritmo terapéutico que nos ayuda a optimizar su manejo clínico.
Palabras clave:
leucoplasia
tabaco
terapia
riesgo de transformación
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