Histopathological Study of Verrucous Lesions and its Mimics

A huge verrucous carcinoma of the lower lip reconstructed by double Abbe flap: A case report and literature review

Lip verrucous carcinoma is a rare low-grade neoplasm, with an unsightly appearance and locally aggressive nature. Treatment of verrucous carcinoma is as yet challenging, no well-defined guidelines for effective and safe management of this disease are available. A case of a patient with a huge verrucous carcinoma of the lower lip successfully treated by surgical excision and double Abbe flap reconstruction technique is presented, and striking features of lip locations of this tumor as well as their management are discussed.

Cutaneous verrucous carcinoma: A clinicopathological study of 21 cases with long-term clinical follow-up

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous verrucous carcinoma (CVC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma and sometimes shares similar clinical and histopathological features with other verrucous lesions.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 21 patients diagnosed with CVC between 2012 and 2022 by reviewing clinical and histopathological data. We also compared the clinicopathological features of patients with CVC, giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA), and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH). We obtained follow-up data by reviewing medical records and telephone interviews.

RESULTS

The average age of patients with CVC was 63.6 years, with a male predominance. The location of disease is mostly found in the foot, followed by the lower legs. Histologically, CVC is characterized by an exo-endophytic growth pattern with severe keratinization and a blunted rete ridge with pushing margins. Clinical features including exudation and crusting, induration, irregular borders, and warty surface, as well as pathological features including growth pattern, koilocytotic cells, depth and morphologic features of acanthosis, severe keratinization, and degree of dermal inflammation, were significant in distinguishing cutaneous CVC, GCA, and PEH.

CONCLUSION

Identification of the clinicopathological features is essential to distinguish CVC from its mimics and to make an early diagnosis. Because of the potential for recurrence and metastasis, CVC requires aggressive treatment.