In reply to the short communication “Malignant transformation of oral lichen planus” by Å. Larsson and G. Warfvinge in Oral Oncology 39 (2003) 630–1

Abstract

We are pleased that the authors have examined our paper with deep interest, and we have noted that we are in general agreement regarding the malignant potential of oral lichen planus (OLP). The authors present concern on the possible presence of lichenoid contact reactions (LCR) in patients, which have been included in studies evaluating the malignant transformation of OLP and the authors speculate that there may also be a malignant potential of LCR. Regarding the prevalence of OLP in the Swedish population: The authors claim that the study by Axell 1 is not different from the eleven studies included in our review regarding the possible presence of LCR. This is only partly correct. The diagnosis of OLP in Axell’s study was sometimes made on clinical appearance alone and it is therefore not consistent with the studies included in our review, where all OLP cases were biopsied. Our article addressed the question of a continuous recall of patients with OLP. The study by Axell