Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and its progression to oral carcinoma: a review of the literature

Background:  Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a distinct clinical form of oral leukoplakia defined by its progressive clinical course, changing clinical and histopathological features, and potential to develop into cancer. PVL behaves in a more aggressive and relentless manner than the m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of oral pathology & medicine 2007-05, Vol.36 (5), p.255-261
Main Authors: Cabay, Robert J., Morton Jr, Thomas H., Epstein, Joel B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Distribution
Biological and medical sciences
Disease Progression
Female
Humans
Leukoplakia, Oral - complications
Leukoplakia, Oral - pathology
Male
Medical sciences
Mouth Neoplasms - etiology
Mouth Neoplasms - pathology
Nicotiana - adverse effects
oral cancer
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
proliferative verrucous leukoplakia
Sex Distribution
squamous cell carcinoma
Tumors
Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
verrucous carcinoma
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Summary:Background:  Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a distinct clinical form of oral leukoplakia defined by its progressive clinical course, changing clinical and histopathological features, and potential to develop into cancer. PVL behaves in a more aggressive and relentless manner than the more innocuous white oral lesions that it can resemble clinically. Methods:  A PubMed search was conducted which identified studies that examined patients with PVL and reported data meeting inclusion criteria. Results:  PVL is seen much more frequently in females and most often diagnosed after the sixth decade of life. Tobacco use is not strongly linked to the presence of PVL (63% of patients did not use tobacco products). Most (74%) of the patients with PVL progressed to oral carcinoma. Conclusion:  PVL is a persistent and progressive oral lesion that requires very close follow‐up along with early and aggressive treatment to increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
ISSN:0904-2512
1600-0714
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0714.2007.00506.x