Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) may cause chronic ulceration of the oral mucosa. The oral cavity may be the sole site of involvement for a year, which may cause delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment of the potentially fatal disorder. If diagnosed early, it could be controlled with a lower dose of medication. A recent case report also proves so.

Managing PV remains challenging. Thus, early and accurate diagnosis will facilitate earlier treatment thereby reducing the patients discomfort and preventing the severity of the disease. So, the role of the oral physician is inevitable in rendering early diagnosis and treatment. 

Corticosteroids are the gold standard treatment for PV. The discovery of newer medications and the availability of advanced medical management have significantly decreased the mortality rate of PV.

Research advances have shown the importance of discovering the most effective steroid-sparing agent against PV, despite the proof remaining uncertain. Multicenter studies must be carried out to establish the common definitions and guidelines, and to decide optimal multistep algorithmic treatment regimens of pemphigus, helping to reduce the duration of therapy and rendering a good standard of life for the patients.

Source: Subadra K, S S, Warrier SA. Oral pemphigus vulgaris. Cureus. 2021;13(9):e18005.