A rare case of giant verruciform xanthoma in the palate

Verruciform xanthoma represents a rare disease of unknown etiology that typically affects the oral mucosa. In most cases, it is asymptomatic and characterized by a well demarcated elevation with irregular or papillary surface. The gums are the most affected oral site, and the lesion is usually less than 2 cm in diameter. The aim of this study is to report a rare case of an extensive verruciform xanthoma in the hard palate and gums of a 55-year-old male. Clinically, the well delimitated, reddish, elastic lesion measuring approximately 2.8 X 1.5 cm had a slightly granular surface. Histopathological analysis found proliferative epithelial activity with evident papillomatosis, parakeratosis, and large epithelial ridges. Xanthomatous cells with clear, vacuolated cytoplasm were detected in the lamina propria. The patient has been disease free for 18 months. According to an extensive research in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Lilacs databases, this paper describes one of the most extensive cases of verruciform xanthoma reported in the literature.