Overview
Smokeless tobacco keratosis (STK) is a premalignant lesion associated with chronic exposure to smokeless tobacco products, often found in the oral cavity and characterized by hyperkeratosis and dysplasia 1.Diagnosis
Clinical examination revealing persistent white or gray patches in the oral mucosa 1.
Histopathological confirmation showing hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and dysplastic changes 1.
Exclusion of other causes of oral lesions through imaging or additional biopsies if necessary 1.Management
Primary Prevention: Cessation of smokeless tobacco use is crucial 1.
Surgical Excision: For confirmed or suspicious lesions, surgical removal may be indicated to prevent progression to malignancy 1.
Follow-Up: Regular oral examinations to monitor for recurrence or malignant transformation 1.Special Populations
Comorbidities: No specific guidance provided in the abstracts regarding management adjustments for patients with comorbidities 1.Key Recommendations
Encourage and support cessation of smokeless tobacco use to reduce risk of STK and associated malignancies (Evidence: Moderate) 1.
Implement regular oral screenings for individuals using smokeless tobacco to detect STK early (Evidence: Moderate) 1.
Consider surgical excision for definitive management of confirmed STK lesions to prevent potential malignancy (Evidence: Moderate) 1.References
1 Sinha DN, Suliankatchi RA, Gupta PC, Thamarangsi T, Agarwal N, Parascandola M et al.. Global burden of all-cause and cause-specific mortality due to smokeless tobacco use: systematic review and meta-analysis. Tobacco control 2018. link