Abstract:

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia（PVL） is a particular form of oral leukoplakia clinically characterized by chronic proliferation, multiple occurrence, and intractability. It is seen mostly among elderly women and often involves bucca, palate, gingiva and tongue. Its canceration rate is very high. This article reports a case of a middleaged woman with progressive PVL which became focally malignant who complained about buccal and palatal exophytic white patches, and discusses the possible pathogenic mechanism, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis of PVL and differentiation between PVL and other types of oral leukoplakia by way of reviewing relevant literature.

Key words: proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, canceration, oral leukoplakia