Oral verrucous carcinoma manifesting as proliferative verrucous leukoplakia.

Abstract This report aimed to describe an uncommon case of verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity with a unique presentation of proliferative verrucous leucoplakia. An 82-year-old female presented multiple white plaques in the oral cavity, which have been treated as candidiasis without resolution. The biopsy specimen demonstrated a well-defined squamous cell epithelium with verrucous aspects. No cellular or nuclear pleomorphism was observed. The final diagnosis was verrucous carcinoma, and the patient was referred for oncologic treatment. Although unusual, proliferative verrucous leukoplakia may mimic verrucous carcinoma and may even represent a transitional stage of this malignancy. Verrucous carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple leucoplakias, especially in elderly patients.