Human Papillomavirus and Oral Lesions: A Comprehensive Review and Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this article is to review the literature and present the case of a squamous papilloma of the soft palate. Squamous papilloma is the most common benign epithelial tumor of the oral mucosa, it is identified as an exophytic proliferation giving rise to papillary lesions with finger-like projections. Despite being a benign lesion, oral squamous papilloma is the most common benign tumor in the oral cavity. The primary cause of this tumor is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is spread through direct contact. However, recent research has shown a direct correlation between HPV infection and the development of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity, making this a significant issue that needs to be addressed by various health services globally. We present the case of a 63-year-old male patient who attended the Dental Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá - Colombia. Through the intraoral examination, a papillary lesion on the soft palate was found. An excisional biopsy was performed and the diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination. The response to treatment confers a favorable prognosis and inform patients about the risk factors for developing this disease and its preventive methods.