Background:  Oral verrucous hyperplasia (VH) and verrucous carcinoma (VC) are two clinicopathologically distinctive oral verrucous lesions. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of the two verrucous lesions and estimate their relationship from China.

Methods:  Retrospective review of two series of patients with histologically confirmed VH (n = 121) and VC (n = 56) between 1996 and 2009 in our hospital were conducted.

Results:  The average age of VH was 58.5 years (ratio male:female = 1.37) with the tongue being the predominant site. The average age of VC was 64.3 years (ratio male:female = 1.15) with the lower lip being the predominant site. Multivariate analysis revealed that the elderly patient with verrucous lesion (≥60 years) was associated with 3.06-fold (P = 0.007) increased carcinoma risk compared with the non-elderly patient. The lesion located on lower lip was associated with 13.54-fold (P < 0.001) increased carcinoma risk compared with other sites.

Conclusion:  Clinicopathological features of VH and VC in China were elucidated. Elderly patient with oral verrucous lesion located on the lower lip correlates with higher risk of carcinoma.