Work

A Case of Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia With Insidious Transformation Into Oral Verrucous Carcinoma

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a rare and aggressive subtype of oral leukoplakia characterized by multifocal progression, frequent recurrence, and a high risk of malignant transformation. Diagnosis is often delayed due to non-linear clinical course and evolving histopathologic features. We report a case of PVL-associated verrucous carcinoma in a 68-year-old non-smoking woman. The lesion initially presented as a localized elevated plaque on the left buccal mucosa and was diagnosed as squamous papilloma. Over a 6-year period, it progressively expanded with prominent verrucous changes, and repeated biopsies showed variable histologic findings. Wide transoral excision was performed, and the final pathology revealed verrucous carcinoma with a pushing growth pattern without cytologic pleomorphism or infiltrative invasion, which is consistent with the malignant transformation of long-standing PVL. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of PVL and underscores the importance of prioritizing clinical suspicion over isolated histologic findings.

Source: Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

DOI: 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2026.00094

Authors: Hyeong Jin Kim, Hye Ran Lee

Institutions: Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University

Language: English

Topic: Oral Health Pathology and Treatment

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7165769346