[Oral verrucous carcinoma and human papillomavirus infection]

Verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity is a clinical variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) seems to be a significant risk factor in carcinogenesis, as illustrated in our case report.

A 72 year-old woman with a history of actinic cheilitis consulted for a bulky tumour of the lips and palate. Clinical examination revealed a highly infiltrated labial tumour vegetating and budding, with a thick edge. A bulky tumour and firm masses were seen on the hard and soft palates. Biopsy samples from both sites indicated well-differentiated veruccous epidermoid carcinoma with chorionic infiltration. The immunohistochemical study showed intestinal tumour containing HPV-16 virus. The central facial scan showed involvement of the nasal fossae, soft palate and lips with lysis of the upper maxilla arcade and the osseous palate. The patient died a few days before the start of preoperative chemotherapy following severe deterioration of her general state.

Verrucous carcinoma is an authentic well-differentiated low-grade cancer. It appears as a wart-like exophytic lesion and progresses over several years. Diagnosis is based on histological examination. Management and treatment are not codified but surgery remains the treatment of choice and relapse is common in the case of locoregional involvement.