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Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a progressive multifocal lesion of the oral mucosa with no discernible aetiology. It is a rare form of oral leukoplakia illustrating resistance to all therapy with subsequent high malignant transformation rate along with frequent recurrences. The PVL is a progressive condition, witnessed commonly in aged women, over 60 years at the time of diagnosis. It initially develops as a white plaque of hyperkeratosis which eventually becomes a multifocal disease with confluent, exophytic, and proliferative features showing different grades of dysplasia. Use of tobacco does not seem to have a substantial influence on the incidence and progression of PVL. The prognosis is poor for this apparently innocent looking white lesion with malignant transformation rate of 43-100%. Literature was reviewed through search engines like Google Scholar and PubMed to find relevant studies using the keyword “Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia” published between 1985 to 2020. Original research, reviews, case reports, case series were included in the study. This review highlights the requirement of the simplified universal criteria, which will help in early diagnosis to improve the therapeutic approach. More clinical trials with prolonged follow-up controls are necessary to evaluate an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of PVL.

Exophytic; hyperkeratosis; proliferative verrucous leukoplakia.