The prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes in oral epithelial hyperplasia: proposal of a concept.

The high prevalence of HPV infection in hyperplastic 'white patches' of the oral mucosa supports the putative role of HPV at an early stage of oral carcinogenesis. These results further indicate that the majority of white oral mucosal lesions - flat, exophytic, wart-like or papillary proliferations - could be considered as the clinical manifestations of oral HPV infection. This finding has clinical relevance regarding therapy and patient management and may help in elucidating the role of HPV infection in oral carcinogenesis.