SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA IN-SITU ARISING WITHIN LICHEN-PLANUS OF THE VULVA

BACKGROUND. Lichen planus is a common dermatologic disorder involving the glabrous skin, hair-bearing skin and scalp, nails, and mucous memb ranes of the oral cavity, penis, and vulva. There have been multiple c ase reports of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing within lesions of hypertrophic cutaneous lichen planus and erosive oral lichen planu s. Recently, there have been several case reports of SCC arising withi n lesions of th genital mucosa: one case of penile lichen planus, and two cases of vulvar lichen planus. OBJECTIVE. To report a case of SCC in situ developing within erosive vulvar lichen planus. To heighten th e awareness, and facilitate the recognition of vulvar lichen planus. R ESULTS. We present SCC in situ developing within a lesion of erosive v ulvar lichen planus. The patient was treated with simple total vulvect omy by gynecologic surgery. Her vulva remain disease-free 2 years post operatively. CONCLUSIONS. Vulvar lesions of lichen planus should be re cognized and followed closely. In long-standing erosive lesions of the vulva, periodic sampling biopsies should be examined to rule out mali gnant degeneration.