Erythroplakia

What is erythroplakia?

Erythroplakia (pronounced “eh-RITH-roh-PLAY-kee-uh”) is a condition that affects the soft tissue lining of your mouth and throat. It causes red lesions (patches) to appear on your oral mucous membranes, including your tongue, inner cheeks or floor of your mouth.

While most erythroplakia lesions are harmless, some are cancerous. For this reason, you should tell a healthcare provider about any abnormal areas in your mouth.

Who does erythroplakia affect?

Anyone can get erythroplakia. But it’s more common in people who smoke or use chewing tobacco. It’s also more likely to affect people over the age of 40.

How common is erythroplakia?

Erythroplakia is less common than leukoplakia, affecting around 1 out of every 2,500 adults in the U.S.

Is erythroplakia serious?

Healthcare providers consider erythroplakia a precancerous condition. While most lesions are harmless, some are cancerous or have the potential to become cancerous. If you notice any abnormal lesions in your mouth, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or dentist right away. They’ll perform a biopsy to determine whether the lesion is cancerous.

What are the symptoms of erythroplakia?

People with erythroplakia don’t always have pain or other warning signs. Visual erythroplakia symptoms may include:

• One or more red, patchy lesions affecting the mucous membranes of your mouth.
• Raised or flat lesions.
• Tissue that looks velvety or granular.
• Lesions that bleed when you scrape them.

What causes erythroplakia?

The most common erythroplakia causes include:

• Smoking.
• Chewing tobacco.
• Excessive alcohol use.
• Ill-fitting dentures.

Additionally, erythroplakia lesions may develop as a secondary infection alongside candidiasis (an oral fungal infection called thrush). Sometimes, people develop erythroplakia without a clear cause.

You have a higher risk of developing erythroplakia if you:

• Have poor oral health.
• Are over the age of 40.
• Have a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

How is erythroplakia diagnosed?

Because erythroplakia doesn’t always cause pain or other symptoms, the condition often goes unnoticed until your dentist discovers it during a routine oral health exam. If your dentist notices areas of concern, they’ll take a biopsy. During this procedure, your provider will take a small sample of the affected tissue and send it to a lab for analysis.

A biopsy can also help your provider rule out other conditions that exhibit similar conditions, such as:

• Lichen planus.
• Acute atrophic candidiasis.
• Hemangioma.
• Lupus.
• Pemphigus.

How do you get rid of erythroplakia?

Erythroplakia treatment depends on the findings of your biopsy. If your case is mild and noncancerous, your healthcare provider may simply monitor the condition with frequent follow-up visits. If erythroplakia is severe, recurring or cancerous, your provider may pursue treatment for erythroplakia, such as:

• Laser surgery: A surgeon uses focused light energy to target and kill problematic cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
• Cryosurgery: A surgeon uses extreme cold (liquid nitrogen) to destroy affected tissues.
• Cancer treatments: If your biopsy comes back positive for cancer, your healthcare provider will refer you to an oncologist (a cancer specialist). They may use radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy to treat erythroplakia.

How long does it take to recover?

Recovery after erythroplakia treatment varies depending on several factors, including the type of surgery done, the size of the lesion and your body’s healing capacity. In general, most people fully recover from laser therapy or cryotherapy in three to four weeks. For people who undergo cancer treatments, full recovery could take several weeks or months. Ask your healthcare provider what to expect in your situation.

Can I prevent erythroplakia?

Sometimes, erythroplakia develops without a known cause. Therefore, it’s not always possible to prevent it altogether.

But there are things you can do to reduce your risk for erythroplakia, including:

• Avoid all tobacco products.
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.
• Practice good oral hygiene.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• If you wear dentures, have them checked and relined every two to three years.

What can I expect if I have erythroplakia?

Erythroplakia is a potentially precancerous condition. But most people who have erythroplakia don’t go on to develop cancer. Still, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider so they can determine a diagnosis and treatment plan, if any.

Sometimes, erythroplakia goes away on its own. But if you have severe or recurrent erythroplakia, your provider may recommend treatment with laser therapy or cryotherapy.

If your biopsy results show cancer, then your healthcare provider will refer you to an oncologist for further testing and treatment.

Are there any foods or beverages I should avoid?

While many people don’t experience pain with erythroplakia, some may develop soreness or sensitivity to hot and spicy foods. Use discretion and avoid foods and beverages that cause symptoms to flare.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Any time you notice sores, lesions or other abnormalities in your mouth, schedule an appointment with a dentist or healthcare provider. It’s important to have an evaluation so your provider can rule out other, serious health issues and give you a proper diagnosis.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

If you have erythroplakia, here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Do you know what caused this?
• What lifestyle changes should I make?
• Do I have leukoplakia lesions as well?
• Do I need treatment? If so, what kind?
• How long do you think it will take me to recover?
• What are the chances erythroplakia will come back?

What’s the difference between erythroplakia and leukoplakia?

Erythroplakia lesions often occur alongside white patches. These white patches are leukoplakia, another condition affecting your oral soft tissues.

Erythroplakia lesions are red areas (raised or flat) that may bleed easily when touched or scraped. Leukoplakia lesions are white patches that don’t come off when you scrape them.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Erythroplakia causes red, patchy lesions in your mouth or throat. While it’s not harmful most of the time, it’s a potentially precancerous condition. If you notice sores or lesions in your mouth, you should see your dentist or healthcare provider right away. They can determine if you have erythroplakia and whether you’ll need treatment.