Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: a concise update

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is of uncertain etiology but may be associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is seen mainly in older women, beginning as a simple slow-growing, persistent leukoplakia that tends to spread and become multifocal and affect the gingival frequently. In time, PVL develops exophytic, wart-like or erythroplakic areas that become squamous carcinomas. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia appears to resist to all attempts at therapy and often recurs.