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 membranes of the oral cavity, penis, and vulva. There have been multiple case reports of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing within lesions of hypertrophic cutaneous lichen planus and erosive oral lichen planus. Recently, there have been several case reports of SCC arising within lesions of the 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 the awareness, and facilitate the recognition of vulvar lichen planus.

Results: We present SCC in situ developing within a lesion of erosive vulvar lichen planus. The patient was treated with simple total vulvectomy by gynecologic surgery. Her vulva remain disease-free 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions: Vulvar lesions of lichen planus should be recognized and followed closely. In long-standing erosive lesions of the vulva, periodic sampling biopsies should be examined to rule out malignant degeneration.