Oral leukoplakia: still an enigmatic disorder.

BACKGROUND

Oral leukoplakia is the most frequent and representative potentially malignant disorder of what is known as oral precancer. Since the first descriptions, this pathology, which initially seems simple, has been the subject of controversy and discussion, and it still maintains multiple unknowns and enigmas to be solved.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A narrative and integrative review of the epidemiological, pathogenetic, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic aspects of this important oral disorder has been carried out.

RESULTS

Oral leukoplakia still presents multiple enigmas regarding its actual epidemiology, its multifactorial and multistage pathogenesis, its definition and diagnosis, its malignant development and its treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We must conduct well-designed prospective studies on this fascinating oral pathology, on well-diagnosed clinical cases with clinicopathological criteria agreed and accepted by the scientific community. Only in this way will we be able to clarify the enigmas it still presents.