Abstract
There is a distinct lack of uniformity in the definitions and clinical terminologies related to oral leukoplakia and leukoplakialike lesions and disorders. Proposals have been put forward to subclassify leukoplakia into a homogeneous and a non-homogeneous type based on color only, being either predominantly white or mixed white-and-red, respectively, irrespective of the texture of the lesion. In this proposal there is no need anymore to regard the poorly defined proliferative verrucous leukoplakia as a separate entity. Since keratosis is primarily a histopathological term, its clinical use is discouraged. Alternative terminology for these so-called keratotic lesions and disorders has been put forward. Finally, a suggestion has been made to rename the term hairy leukoplakia, being a well defined, not potentially malignant disorder particularly related to HIV-infection, into 'EBV-positive white lesion of the tongue' (EBVposWLT). Key words:Potentially malignant oral disorders, oral leukoplakia, oral keratosis, hairy leukoplakia.
Highlights
Most, if not all oral squamous cell carcinomas are preceded by clinically visible changes of the oral mucosa
There is a confusing use of clinical terminologies related to oral leukoplakia
The definition is still worded in a negative way by exclusion of other white lesions
Summary
Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019 Nov 1;24 [6]:e799-803
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