DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 34 PATIENTS WITH PROLIFERATIVE VERRUCOUS LEUKOPLAKIA

Abstract

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a subtype of oral leukoplakia, which is not commonly associated with risk factors such as alcohol and smoking; it has high rates of recurrence after treatment and has a high risk of malignant transformation. This study described the clinical features of 34 patients with PVL (1991-2016). Of these, the vast majority was female (31%-91.17%) and the mean age was 69.08 years. Regarding risk factors, only 2 patients smoked and 5 consumed alcoholic beverages. The most frequently affected sites were the buccal mucosa and lateral border of the tongue. The average number of site affected with leukoplakia was 3.41 and the development of squamous cell carcinoma occurred in 7 of the patients (20%). PVL starts as an isolated lesion but develops important changes throughout the follow-up period. Therefore, constant clinical monitoring is necessary. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a subtype of oral leukoplakia, which is not commonly associated with risk factors such as alcohol and smoking; it has high rates of recurrence after treatment and has a high risk of malignant transformation. This study described the clinical features of 34 patients with PVL (1991-2016). Of these, the vast majority was female (31%-91.17%) and the mean age was 69.08 years. Regarding risk factors, only 2 patients smoked and 5 consumed alcoholic beverages. The most frequently affected sites were the buccal mucosa and lateral border of the tongue. The average number of site affected with leukoplakia was 3.41 and the development of squamous cell carcinoma occurred in 7 of the patients (20%). PVL starts as an isolated lesion but develops important changes throughout the follow-up period. Therefore, constant clinical monitoring is necessary.