Successful Treatment of Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia With Topical Imiquimod

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a rare and clinically aggressive form of oral leukoplakia with a high rate of malignant transformation and recurrence. Given its aggressive clinical behavior, surgical excision has traditionally been the primary treatment modality. The effectiveness of topical chemotherapeutics in treating potentially malignant oral lesions has recently become a topic of considerable debate. Herein, we report the treatment outcome of a middle-aged female patient who declined surgical intervention and was instead managed solely with topical imiquimod, a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist. To date, no signs of recurrence have occurred.