SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA DEVELOPING WITHIN LICHEN-PLANUS OF THE PENIS - TREATMENT WITH MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY

BACKGROUND. Lichen planus is a common disease, with a low malignant po tential. There are several case reports in the literature of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing in cutaneous lichen planuse. However, SCC developing in penile lichen planus is extremely rare. OBJECTIVE. T o report a case of SCC developing within penile lichen planus, to disc uss treatment with Mohs micrographic surgery, and to review the litera ture. METHOD. The diagnosis of lichen planus and SCC were made by biop sy of the lesion. RESULTS. We present the first case in the English li terature of SCC developing within lichen planus of the penis. The lesi on was treated with Mohs surgery and the patient's penis is functional and free of tumor 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION. Squamous cell carcinoma may develop within lichen planus. Treatment-resistant longst anding cases of lichen planus should be biopsied. Mohs micrographic su rgery is a precise treatment for penile SCC, it avoids penectomy, and preserves normal function.