It is a type of Benign Tumor of Epithelial Tissue origin.
The Squamous papilloma is associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types 6, 11. This Tumor is of low virulance i.e it is not contagious.
Differential Diagnosis:
- Veruca Vulgaris
- Focal Papillary Hyperplasia
Clinical Features:
- The Papilloma shows Exophytic growth.
- Numerous small finger like projections which result in lesion with a roughened, verrucous (or) Cauliflower Surface.
- It is a well circumscried tumor.
- The tumor is Pedenculated (Mostly) or Sessile (sometimes).
- Color: White (sometimes pink)
- Site: Tongue, lips, uccal mucosa, gingiva and palate (adjacent to uvula)
- Size: Few millimeters in diameter to several centimeters
- Age: No age prdilection.
Histological features:
- Charecteristic feature: Many long thin, finger like projections extending above the surface of mucosa.
- Each finger like projection is lined by Stratified Squamous Epithelium and contains a thin central connective tissue.
- The spinous cells proliferate in a papillary pattern.
- Koliocytes- HPV altered cells may or maynot be seen.
- Chronic inflamatory cells are seen.
Treatment and Prognosis:
- Surgical Excision incleding the base of mucosa into which the pedicle or stalk is inserted.
- If the Exicision is done properly then Recurrance is rare.
On the clinical Aspect which is concerned to patients and not students,
“Squamous papilloma in the mouth is a benign( which means non cancerous and not life threatening) tumor that originates from the squamous cells of the mucosa that cover the oral cavity. Squamous papilloma are also called warts. From the outside, the skin develops spikes (papillae) that look like fingers and that’s where the name “papilloma” comes from. Skin or mucosal papillomas are usually caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are transmittable. Some types of HPV are known to cause dysplastic (precancerous) papillomas that can turn into cancers. Genital warts on the cervix are much more suspicious than oral warts. That’s why a hysto-pathological examination of surgically removed tumors is requested for examination and diagnosis”
Hi Varun,
Thanks for the comments and that was really helpful. One of my uncles was diagnosed with “Squamous Papilloma” in the mouth.
I have couple of questions.
1. What would be the reason that he might have got it (Water, Environment, Food, Oral Hygiene etc.). He is a very religious person and has a healthy lifestyle.
2. The doctors are recommending 4 shots, costing 15,000 rupees for each shot. Is this needed or is this curable?
3. You said it’s transmittable. What precaution must he do so that he doesn’t spread it to other family members?
4. He is based in Chennai, Can you recommend any of your friends that we can get opinion on this one.
Thanks in Advance