Oral manifestations of leukaemia: cooperation between dentist and haematologist

Abstract

Many systemic diseases can manifest in the oral mucosa. Leukaemia is the most common neoplastic disease of white blood cells. Common symptoms of leukaemia in the oral cavity include mucosa pallor, bleeding gums, gingival enlargement, ecchymosis, oral infections and ulcerations. A dentist should know how to recognize the first signs of leukaemia and may be responsible for a prompt referral to an adequate professional to improve patient outcomes. A dentist must participate in a patient’s process of treatment when the plan includes complex therapy of the oral cavity. In many cases, this procedure enables the implementation of appropriate therapy and the possibility of recovery and can even save the patient’s life. The study aimed to present the cooperation between the dentist and haematologist in the example of a 52-year-old female with oral symptoms of leukaemia.