BACKGROUND
Verrucous carcinoma is a slowly growing, well-differentiated neoplasm with a predilection for the oral cavity.
OBJECTIVE
Data on the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with oral verrucous carcinoma are very scarce. We searched for the presence of HPV in different stages of the tumour in a patient repeatedly treated by means of surgery, cryotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy over a decade.
METHODS
HPV DNA was detected in archival tumour tissue by nested PCR. HPV types were identified based on restriction fragment analysis.
RESULTS
HPV type 11 was found in 1 early-stage and HPV 16 in 2 late-stage biopsy specimens of the tumour.
CONCLUSION
Our findings provide further evidence for a role of HPV in oral verrucous carcinoma. The case history emphasizes the importance of a joint clinicopathological approach to this tumour.