Tobacco Use and Oral Leukoplakia

Abstract

The increase in cancer mortality throughout the world justifies the study of its causes and development. Hungary has the highest mortality rate from oropharyngeal cancer out of forty-six countries. Tobacco use is implicated in the development of oral cancer, and oral leukoplakia as well. The aim of the study was to give an overview of the connection between tobacco use and oral leukoplakia, considering the epidemiologic patterns of tobacco habits, the prevalence of smoking in oral leukoplakia, and the effect of smoking on clinically healthy oral mucosa with special respect to central Europe and Hungary. In the data, strong evidence has been found for the role of smoking in the development of both oral cancer and oral leukoplakia. Epidemiologic patterns of cigarette smoking show a steep increase in central European countries. Cross-sectional studies show a higher prevalence rate of leukoplakia among smokers, with a dose-response relationship between tobacco use and oral leukoplakia, and intervention studies show a regression of the lesion after stopping the smoking habit.