Squamous cell carcinoma orginiating from erosive oral lichen planus: a case report and review of literature

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T- cell mediated mucocutaneous disease of autoimmune origin affecting stratified squamous epithelium in 0.5-2.6% population. Genetic predisposition, stress, anxiety, hepatitis C, immunocompromising status, dental materials, certain drugs have been found to cause lichen planus but with lack of evidence. It is associated with the increased risk of developing into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Transformation rate of OLP to OSCC in some review ranged from 0.4 – 5.6% and in another from 0% to 12.5%. Considering its malignancy potential, it seems important to have a standardized diagnostic criteria, treatment, and clinical follow-up of patients with OLP so that the disease is diagnosed at an early stage and cured on time. Here we present a case of 50-year-old female who reported with erosive form of lichen planus in left buccal mucosa, later lost the follow up and reported with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the same region after 1.5 years, potentially originated from pre-existing OLP.