Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition which affects the skin and mucous membranes. It is a T-cell–mediated autoimmune disease in which autocytotoxic CD8+ T cells trigger apoptosis of oral epithelial cells. On the skin, lichen planus usually appears as purplish, often itchy, flat-topped bumps. In mouth, vagina and other areas covered by a mucous membrane, lichen planus forms lacy white patches, sometimes with painful sores. There is no cure for Lichen planus. Treatment for the skin may include Antihistamines, Corticosteroides, Retinoic acid.

A retrospective study was made of 550 patients diagnosed with OLP according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, in the period between 1991 and 2007, in south-eastern Spain 128 males (23.3%) and 422 females (76.7%). A clinical protocol was applied in all cases (sociodemographic data, habits and hepatitis C markers), with histological confirmation of the disease. Five of the 550 patients (0.9%) developed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The mean duration of follow-up was 24 ± 20.83 months. The tongue was the most common location.