Management of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: Justification for a conservative approach

BACKGROUND: Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a progressive, multifocal, exophytic form of leukoplakia with high rates of malignant transformation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a cohort of patients with PVL in a single tertiary referral clinic. METHOD: Cases meeting accepted diagnostic criteria were reviewed with regard to their pathology, demographic characteristics, management, and outcomes. Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing was undertaken on a subset. RESULTS: Almost half of the 48 patients with PVL (48%; n = 23) underwent malignant transformation after a median 23.4 months. The characteristics of this cohort were similar to those previously described, but management was notably more conservative. Conservative management of PVL was used in 92% of our patients, but the clinical outcomes seem comparable with previously described cohorts in which PVL was predominantly treated by surgical excision. All HPV testing was negative. CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical intervention in the premalignant phase of PVL may not influence the rate of malignant transformation.