Oral Squamous Papilloma : Intro

Comments:
Oral squamous papilloma is a benign, HPV-induced proliferation of stratified squamous epithelium. HPV types 6 and 11 are most common causative agents. It is diagnosed in about 3% of all oral lesion biopsies and comprises 7% to 8% of all oral masses in the pediatric age group. It can occur at any age and the median age at diagnosis is 3rd to 5th decades with a slight male predominance.

Sites: It can occur at any oral surface; however, the most common sites of involvement are soft palate, tongue, and lips.

Clinical Features: It presents as a small (up to 0.5 cm in most cases), solitary, soft, painless exophytic mass with numerous finger-like projections giving it a cauliflower-like or wart-like appearance. The projections may be pointed or have blunt ends. The color of the mass is white, tan, or pink, depending upon the degree of keratinization.

Image courtesy of: Dr. Sebastian Ordenes, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile, South Ameria; Used with permission.