THE POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION OF LICHEN PLANUS: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Verrucous carcinoma is an indolent variant of the squamous cell carcinoma. Clinically, it presents most often as a slow-growing verrucous lesion. This study aims to report a case of a 47-year-old White man who presented 2 painless lesions: white patches on the dorsal surface of the tongue and a white verrucous nodule on the lateral border of the tongue. Another lesion at the same location 10 years earlier was reported by the patient. Complete hemogram, previous antifungal treatment, and incisional biopsy were requested. The final diagnoses were lichen planus (dorsum) and verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (lateral border). The patient was referred for cancer treatment, with surgery and radiotherapy. He died 1 year later. The possible malignant transformation of a previous lichen planus is discussed. This case report also highlights the responsibility of the professional to advise the patient about the follow-up of potentially malignant lesions. Verrucous carcinoma is an indolent variant of the squamous cell carcinoma. Clinically, it presents most often as a slow-growing verrucous lesion. This study aims to report a case of a 47-year-old White man who presented 2 painless lesions: white patches on the dorsal surface of the tongue and a white verrucous nodule on the lateral border of the tongue. Another lesion at the same location 10 years earlier was reported by the patient. Complete hemogram, previous antifungal treatment, and incisional biopsy were requested. The final diagnoses were lichen planus (dorsum) and verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (lateral border). The patient was referred for cancer treatment, with surgery and radiotherapy. He died 1 year later. The possible malignant transformation of a previous lichen planus is discussed. This case report also highlights the responsibility of the professional to advise the patient about the follow-up of potentially malignant lesions.