Are mouth ulcers a precursor to leukemia?

In general, oral ulcers are not a precursor to leukemia.

Oral ulcers are a common type of oral mucosal disease, often caused by various factors such as stress, fatigue, decreased immunity, nutritional deficiencies, and local physical trauma. Oral ulcers appear as white or light yellow lesions, accompanied by significant pain, especially during eating, speaking, or brushing teeth. Leukemia is a malignant tumor of hematopoietic stem cells, develops rapidly, and typically presents without any warning signs. Symptoms of leukemia include swelling, bleeding, and erosion of the gums throughout the mouth, as well as other systemic symptoms such as anemia, bleeding tendencies, and swollen lymph nodes.

There is no direct association between oral ulcers and leukemia. The occurrence of oral ulcers does not indicate the presence of leukemia. Although leukemia patients, due to their weakened immune system, are prone to infections including oral infections that may lead to oral ulcers, this does not mean that all oral ulcers are precursors to leukemia.

Patients suffering from oral ulcers can follow medical advice to take anti-infective medications or vitamins for treatment, and should also maintain good oral hygiene and avoid irritating foods. If oral ulcers recur frequently, fail to heal, or are accompanied by other systemic symptoms such as persistent fever, fatigue, or weight loss, prompt consultation with a hematologist at a hospital is recommended to rule out the possibility of leukemia.