Tobacco-induced changes in oral leukoplakic epithelium.

A study of 112 biopsy specimens from Danish oral leukoplakia patients and 145 biopsy specimens from Indian leukoplakia patients revealed a chevron-like keratinization of the epithelium in a number of cases. Clinically, this type of keratinization was often characterized by a pumice-like appearance. The clinical and histologic changes were only observed in tobacco users, and appeared to be associated particularly with use of pipes, snuff, and hooklis.