Premalignant nature of oral and vulval lichen planus: Facts and controversies

Real-life experience of managing vulval erosive lichen planus: a case-based review and U.K. multicentre case note audit

“…We know that vulval SCC developed after disease duration of > 10 years in one patient and after several years in the other, although this study was not designed to elucidate the exact timings. The development of SCC secondary to lichen planus has been previously documented 2,3,14–16 although there is not yet a formal consensus on whether ELPV is a premalignant condition 17 . However, these previous reports in conjunction with our findings reinforce the need to discuss potential complications of erosive lichen planus with patients and their primary health care practitioners.…”

Oral lichen planus: an update on its pathogenesis

“…Other mucous membranes, such as those of the genitalia, esophagus and conjunctiva, as well as skin appendage areas such as the scalp and nails may also be affected . The disease presents clinically as erythematous–violaceous, polygonal, shiny, non‐confluent and symmetrical papules, on the surface of which are whitish streaks known as Wickham striae . Oral LP (OLP) lesions usually show a painful red center with erosions and ulcerations, and a less painful or painless radiating white form with papular or reticular patches over the buccal mucosa, and, to a lesser extent, the lips, tongue and palate …”

Oral Lichen Planus: Clinical Profile and Determination of Oral Epithelial Dysplasia

“…Wei Liu et al demonstrated that patients diagnosed with severegrade dysplasia had a higher oral cancer incidence than those with mild-grade. Whereas the cutaneous lichen planus is described with no risk of malignant transformation (Sigurgeirsson & Lindelöf, 1999;Ramos-e-Silva et al, 2010), the oral forms had been documented as a potentially lesion for cancer, with rates reaching 5.8 % (Wei et al;Ramos-e-Silva et al;Rajentheran et al, 1999). Other rates of malignant transformation were reported, amounting to less than 0.5 % (Warnakulasuriya et al).…”