Leukoplakia is a fairly rare disease, and occurs in no more than 12% of the population. In very rare cases, the disease develops into a malignant neoplasm or is a sign of AIDS. It is characterized by the appearance of white stripes on the mucous membranes, which do not disappear after erasure.
general description
Leukoplakia is a dyskeratosis, that is, a violation of keratinization. Pathology can develop on the vulva, cervix, in the oral cavity, very rarely near the anus, and may appear in the area of the head of the penis.
The disease is characteristic of middle-aged and older people and does not always develop into a cancer, but may be a background process of the body.
Forms of pathology
How is leukoplakia treated? It all depends on the form of the disease and the location. To date, there are three forms:
- Flat. In this case, the patient has practically no complaints, he only feels some constriction. In the process of progression, keratinization is painted in a pearlescent color, may rise slightly above the general level of the mucous membrane.
- Warty. Most often, this form appears against the background of an existing flat one. In the area of the affected areas, tubercles of various shapes and sizes appear, that is, layering occurs.
- Erosive. Against the background of the other two forms, erosion develops and cracks appear.
Types of pathology
There are two types of leukoplakia:
- simple, without elevation above the epithelium;
- scaly, formations are characterized as dense and you can see how they rise above the epithelium.
Most often, the detection of the disease occurs during a routine examination or when contacting a doctor with other pathologies.
Symptomatology
Pathology begins with the appearance of whitish or grayish foci on the mucous membrane, having contours. They can be single or multiple, different in size and shape.
As a rule, the patient does not notice any discomfort. Over time, in places where there is plaque, the lesion centers begin to condense and rise slightly above the mucosa.
The greatest risk is the ulcerative form of leukoplakia, it is she who most often is a harbinger of a cancerous condition.
Diagnostics
How is leukoplakia treated? First of all, it is necessary to make a diagnosis. If the pathology develops in the oral cavity, then as usual it is not difficult. Although specifying studies are necessarily carried out, this is a cytological and histological examination of the material that is obtained by biopsy. As a rule, the first who makes a preliminary diagnosis is a dentist or otolaryngologist who can prescribe a laryngoscopy.
The pathology of the cervix or vulva is detected by a gynecologist. The Schiller test is being conducted. Cervical curettage and biopsy are also performed. All diagnostic measures are aimed at eliminating a precancerous, cancerous condition or endocervix.
Diagnosis of the bladder or urethra is carried out using cystoscopy or urethroscopy.
The main thing is to make the correct differentiation of the disease and not to confuse secondary syphilis, Keir’s disease, red lichen and some other ailments with similar symptoms.
Treatment
How to treat cervical leukoplakia? It cannot be said that today there is a definite answer to this question. There are many options to combat the pathological process, in particular:
- Diathermocoagulation. The procedure involves cauterization using high temperatures. Although such treatment is associated with a number of negative effects. The appearance of endometriosis and bleeding is possible. In some patients, the menstrual cycle is violated or a relapse occurs. In addition, the procedure itself is quite painful, and after it pain is often observed.
- Cryotherapy, or exposure to liquid nitrogen. The procedure involves the use of low temperatures, which cause the necrosis of abnormal cells. The treatment is painless and lasts no more than 5 minutes. In 96% of patients, complete recovery is observed. After the procedure, reconstructive therapy using vaginal suppositories is expected.
- Laser Therapy This is the most advanced treatment technique using a high-intensity carbon dioxide laser. And most importantly, the procedure is non-contact, that is, there will be no infection and bleeding. The patient does not feel any pain. Full recovery occurs in about 1.5 months.
- Radio wave treatment. Therapy involves the use of a radio wave apparatus. The procedure is quick and painless.
How to treat cervical leukoplakia, are there any other methods? To date, some clinics have not yet given up surgical methods to solve the problem. As a rule, surgery is indicated for the development of pathology after childbirth or if a change in the shape of the neck occurs. In this case, the affected tissue is simply removed. In the future, plastic surgery is possible.
In some cases, ordinary drug therapy gives excellent results. We have not abandoned chemical cauterization using the drug Solkovagin. The peculiarity of the drug is that after application it penetrates 2 mm inward and destroys the focus of the pathology. The effectiveness of treatment at the level of 70%. The procedure is recommended for young and not yet giving birth to patients who have the usual form of the disease.
According to the results of statistical studies, it is recommended to use laser therapy.
Can the disease go away on its own?
Many patients are worried if there is cervical leukoplakia. How to treat, where, and perhaps it will pass by itself? Definitely, pathology requires treatment and will not go away on its own. In addition, if atypia appears, the development of the disease will accelerate and it will quickly transform into a cancerous formation.
Alternative methods of treatment
No matter how representatives of official medicine resist, herbal medicine can still save you from leukoplakia, but you will have to be patient, as the course will be long.
Alcohol tinctures are considered to be quite effective, especially from the cinquefoil of a white, red brush, pine forest uterus and round-leafed winter wheat. Good results are given by treatment with this honey. The optimal duration of treatment is 2 months twice a year.
In addition to tinctures, it is recommended to use oily tampons. It can be sea buckthorn or coconut oil, even ordinary sunflower. Tampons must be administered 2 hours before bedtime. Soda solution and herbal preparations are also used, for example, from yarrow, eucalyptus, St. John's wort, calendula and chamomile.
Conservative treatment of the vulva
How to treat vulvar leukoplakia? Therapeutic tactics are selected depending on the degree of changes in the mucous membrane on the vulva. First of all, treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms and preventing the degeneration of foci into malignant neoplasms.
Conservative therapy is carried out under the supervision of a physician. Treatment measures involve not only medication, but also physiotherapeutic procedures, special rules for hygiene and diet.
Of the antibacterial agents, Synthomycin suppositories, Chlorophyllipt oil solution and Levomekol are often used. Antihistamines may be prescribed. Local therapy consists of drugs that can eliminate the inflammatory process: Clobetasol propionate, Baneocin, and others. Anti-itch drugs: Progesterone cream, Sinaflan ointment, and others.
How is leukoplakia treated, what other procedures are performed? It is recommended to use mineral-vitamin complexes to improve the condition of the mucous membrane.
If conservative therapy has not given proper results, then novocaine blockades can be placed and radio-wave puncture of the vulvar cover can be performed.
As a preventative measure, it is recommended to abandon the "solar" procedures in order to avoid overheating in the sun. Do not wear underwear made of synthetic materials. You will also have to refuse to visit the baths and saunas.
The diet will also have to change, abandon fried and smoked food, bad habits. Of physiotherapeutic procedures, a course of treatment with phonophoresis, using drugs, magnetophoresis, balneotherapy, physiotherapy exercises can be prescribed.
Surgical intervention is carried out only in extreme cases, like other treatment, which is indicated in the presence of pathology in the cervix.
Does leukoplakia treat? Can I use traditional medicine recipes?
The question of whether or not to treat leukoplakia should not even appear. Naturally, the pathological process must be stopped.
From the practice of traditional medicine, an aqueous solution of saffron stigmas can be distinguished. Propolis, tinctures from meadowsweet helps.
It is not recommended to use phytopreparations containing poisonous herbs, for example, with a hemlock or wormwood, as they can cause serious damage to the entire body. At the beginning of treatment, all doses should be reduced, in relation to standard dosages, to about one third of the part, with a gradual increase in dosage.
Despite the difference in views of official and traditional medicine on the question of how to treat leukoplakia, doctors still note a significant pharmaceutical effect from the use of medicinal herbs, but if all the components are added in minimal doses. Local treatment with folk remedies is the same as with cervical therapy.
Pathology of the oral cavity
How to treat oral leukoplakia? The main direction of therapy is the elimination of the source of irritation. If the patient smokes, then you will have to completely abandon the bad habit. If necessary, prostheses are corrected and the dentition is restored, poor-quality fillings are replaced with better ones.
In cases where the cause of the disease was internal diseases, then correction and cryodestruction are carried out. Laser therapy and even surgery can also be used.
How to treat oral leukoplakia according to traditional medicine recipes? In this case, it can only act as concomitant and consists of rinsing the oral cavity with medicinal herbs. It can be tinctures from calendula, chamomile or hypericum.
Urinary bladder problems
How to treat bladder leukoplakia? In this case, physiotherapeutic measures are widely used. First of all, this is electrophoresis using medicinal substances, microwave exposure or magnetotherapy. That is, all procedures that can reduce inflammation and promote cell regeneration, eliminate adhesions.
Along with physiotherapy, antibacterial medicines, immunocorrective and general strengthening agents can be used.
Only if it is not possible to achieve a positive result with conservative therapy, surgical techniques are used. However, this is an extreme measure and the operation is called transurethral resection of the bladder. The procedure involves the use of a cystoscope, which is inserted through the urethra and a damaged area of the mucous membrane is removed with a special loop. Where is leukoplakia of this type treated? Naturally in a hospital setting.
Traditional medicine can help only in rare cases and provided that treatment has begun in the early stages of the development of the pathological process. At the slightest discomfort, you should abandon alternative medicine and seek help from a doctor.