Abstract
Plasma cell cheilitis (PCC) is an inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology that affects the lip. It is characterized histologically by a dense infiltrate of plasma cells with a variety of clinical features. The response to different therapeutic modalities is controversial, especially regarding the effectiveness of corticosteroids. We present a case of a 56-year-old Caucasian man with a painful ulcerated and crusted area in the lower lip, resembling a squamous cell carcinoma or actinic cheilitis. Topical corticosteroid was used for one week, which resulted in partial regression and motivated a biopsy. The histological examination provided the diagnosis of PCC. The patient has been disease-free for six months. We also provide a discussion on the criteria of differential diagnosis and management of this rare condition.
Highlights
Plasma cell cheilitis (PCC) is a rare site-specific type of plasma cell mucositis reported in older adults, with higher prevalence in men.[1,2]
We present a case of PCC clinically similar to lip squamous cell carcinoma or actinic cheilitis, but responsive to topical corticosteroid
Plasma cell cheilitis (PCC) is a type of mucositis enriched with plasma cells
Summary
Plasma cell cheilitis (PCC) is a rare site-specific type of plasma cell mucositis reported in older adults, with higher prevalence in men.[1,2] The lesion is presented as circumscribed erosive or erythematous plaques or patches on the labial mucosa, predominantly on the lower lip.[1,3,4] Histopathologically, PCC consists of a proliferation of mature plasma cells distributed as a dense band-like subepithelial infiltrate.[2,5,6] the epithelium may present dyskeratosis, intercellular edema, erosion or ulceration, hyperkeratosis, and vacuolar degeneration in the conjunctival-epithelial junction.[2,7] When these clinical and microscopic findings are located intraorally, they are called plasma cell mucositis.[8,9,10,11] Different therapeutic approaches have been performed, but the outcomes remain paradoxical.[5] We present a case of PCC clinically similar to lip squamous cell carcinoma or actinic cheilitis, but responsive to topical corticosteroid
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