The Oral Manifestations of Leukemia
The annual 2026 Student Visionaries of the Year philanthropic leadership development program with Blood Cancer United, previously Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, commenced January 15. For those readers not aware, “Blood Cancer United funds life-saving blood cancer research around the world, providing free information and support services for patients and their families, and are the voice for those seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care”. With the help of high school students across the country, Blood Cancer United’s impact is stronger than ever! Inspired by my daughter, who has joined several of her friends and other young adults in the community as the 2026 Eastern Wisconsin Student Visionaries of the Year, I thought this article would be perfect timing to educate our readers about the oral manifestations of leukemia.
Leukemia is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal, immature blood cells taking place in the bone marrow. The different types of leukemia depend on the type of blood cell and how quickly the leukemia grows. The type of cell could be a lymphocyte, or white blood cell, or arise from myeloid cells which are immature cells that become white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. If leukemia grows quickly, it is characterized as the acute form of the disease and if slow growing, chronic. According to the National Institute of Health, leukemia accounts for approximately 2.5% of all new cancers worldwide. The overall 5-year survival rate is 67%, but these statistics vary greatly according to the disease subtype. Risk factors include exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, chemotherapy in the past, family history, blood disorders, rare congenital diseases, age, and gender. In certain circumstances (as is the case of a young girl which this year’s Eastern Wisconsin’s Student Visionaries are fundraising in honor of), leukemia may even be acquired from a bone marrow donor. Overall, the risk of leukemia goes up with age and most commonly occurs over the age of 60.
Having patients, family members, and friends diagnosed with leukemia, as well as my clinical rotations during residency training, I have experienced first-hand leukemia’s oral manifestations. Oral findings associated with leukemia are a direct result of leukemic cells infiltrating into oral tissues or secondary to the loss of normal leukocytic/healthy cell function, predisposing patients to infection. Petechial hemorrhage of the tongue which appears as a red rash, persistent gingival bleeding, painless gingival enlargement also known as gingival hyperplasia, rapid tooth mobility without periodontal disease, oral ulcers, frequent viral or bacterial infections, and pale mucosa are very common findings in the early stages of the disease.
Despite the fact that leukemia has long been known to be associated with oral lesions, the available literature on this topic consists mostly of case reports and your dentist’s clinical experience. If leukemia is suspected by your oral health care provider, a prompt diagnosis will lead to effective coordinated care and management of your oral health leading up to and after treatment. Please visit our website at www.mequonsmiledesign.com.
