Familial oral lichen planus: A new risk group for oral cancer?

Abstract

ObjectiveThe familial type of oral lichen planus (OLP) is rare, with a paucity of data regarding its clinical significance. Our objective was to characterize patients with familial OLP.MethodsFamilies with at least two members diagnosed with OLP were included. Clinical and demographic data and medical history were recorded.ResultsTwenty families, 19 Jewish and 1 Arab, were identified. Of the Jewish families, 57.8% were non‐Ashkenazi, originating mainly from central Asia. Of those with OLP there were 14 males and 23 females with an average age of 49.1. Dyslipidemia, cardiovascular, and thyroid disorders (27.7%, 22.2%, and 16.6%, respectively) were the most common comorbidities. Five patients from five distinct families had oral cancer, two with second primary.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study describing familial OLP. The predominant and common ethnicity of the families with multiple members diagnosed with OLP may imply an ethnic tendency. The higher tendency of hypothyroidism and the high percentage of OSCC among familial OLP patients might be connected to familial OLP and the latter suggests that this population is predisposed to malignant transformation. Thus, this group should be considered as a high‐risk group.

Crossroads between Skin and Endocrine Glands: The Interplay of Lichen Planus with Thyroid Anomalies

“…Several environmental factors have been implied in the development of OLP and ATDs, such as smoking, vitamin D exposure, infectious diseases, particularly, of viral types, nutrient status, etc. [5,[110][111][112][113][114]. Smoking Some data suggest that smoking might be protective against thyroid blocking antibodies (in HT) while being a clear negative contributor to GD onset and progression [115,116].…”

“…Lichen planus (LP), a chronic inflammatory condition usually affecting middle-aged individuals with an overall prevalence of 0.14 to 1.27%, associates three main clinical subtypes: cutaneous, mucosal, and planopilaris (located at the level of the scalp) [1][2][3]. Cutaneous LP involves 0.4% to 1.2% of all referrals in the field of dermatology [4,5]. Clinically, this form appears as an eruption characterised by the presence of flat-topped, violaceous, papular lesions of different sizes that are generally described as the "six P's" (standing for "purple colour, pruritic nature, polygonal shape, planar appearance, papules, and plaques").…”