ETIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF LEUKOPLAKIA BUCCALIS

Abstract

Leukoplakia buccalis, leukokeratosis or smoker's patch is one of the most common lesions that one encounters in an examination of the oral cavity. A voluminous literature has been written on the subject over many years, and yet several facts about the condition need to be elucidated. It is interesting to note how the authorities differ regarding the relation of syphilitic infection to the development of leukoplakia, and a free discussion by various observers leads invariably to a considerable difference of opinion as to whether syphilis is the most important causal factor. For the past several years I have classified the cases of this condition in relation to the etiology and studied the histologic changes in the various stages of development of the lesion. This study of leukoplakia was carried on primarily at the clinic in oral medicine at Tufts Dental School and was extended to include a group of