CUTANEOUS LICHEN PLANUS - UNEXPECTED MALIGNANT DEGENERATION

Carcinoma occurring in the cutaneous lesions of Lichen Planus (LP) though rarely mentioned in literature does occur and should be kept in mind while treating such lesions. We report a 70-year-old women who developed an SCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in a long-standing lesion of hypertrophic LP on the lower leg. This observation is being presented to indicate the possibility of malignant transformation of cutaneous lichen planus to carcinoma, and suggest more regular monitoring especially in the hypertrophic forms and the need to have an early diagnosis so that it can be treated in the initial stages.