Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and verrucous hyperplasia

Abstract

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and hyperplasia are irreversible clinicopathologic lesions of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract with considerable potential for evolving into verrucous or other forms of squamous cell carcinoma. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a disease of the oral cavity in which verrucous hyperplasia is a part of its developmental spectrum. Verrucous hyperplasia, at other head and neck mucosal sites, may be associated with papillomas or be a de novo lesion. Human papillomavirus, as a cofactor, plays a role in some of the lesions. In the instance of verrucous hyperplasia, the authors consider it an early form of verrucous carcinoma and recommend it be treated accordingly.