Oral leukoplakia (OL) requires active management when intervention is indicated. Lesion characteristics — including size, morphology, and histological status — determine which treatment strategy is appropriate for a given patient.
When removal is indicated, management may involve surgical or laser-based excision of the lesion, or alternatively laser ablation — with defined criteria shaping which modality is selected. The complete protocol specifies the selection framework and procedural requirements.
DOI: 10.1002/hed.28013
Treatment options for OL include observation, surgical or laser excision, laser ablation, and chemoprevention.
For example, a small, well-defined, localized lesion may be amenable to excision (either surgical or laser removal) with low morbidity, whereas larger, diffuse lesions may require consideration for alternative methods such as topical or systemic chemoprevention.
Appropriate surgical margins for excision of OL are in the range of 2-5 mm in depth and width.
For lesions found to be dysplastic, formal excision or ablation may decrease MT rates.
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