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Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and its progression to oral carcinoma: a review of the literature
Author(s) -
Cabay Robert J.,
Morton Thomas H.,
Epstein Joel B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2007.00506.x
Subject(s) - leukoplakia , medicine , verrucous carcinoma , dermatology , lesion , cancer , carcinoma , pathology
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.