Publication

Abstract : Salient histopathological features of four hundred and twenty six (426) cases of verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity reported jointly by the Department of Oral Pathology, Dental College and Department of Pathology, Medical College, Trivandrum, during the period from January 1975 to December 1984 were evaluated. They constituted 5.27% of 7,988 primary malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity detected during the period. Locally aggressive behaviour with bone, muscle and salivary gland invasion occurred in 53% of cases. Examination of the neighbouring areas of the lesion, which showed some light on the natural evolution of the disease, is described. The gradual transformation of a hyperplastic verrucous lesion into carcinoma is appraised. Evidence suggestive of a distant metastatic spread of the tumour could not be detected.