This cohort study of 327 oral lichen planus (OLP) patients; 229 women (70.0%) and 98 men (30.0%), was conducted using data from a cohort of caucasian patients from Italy with clinical and pathologic diagnosis of OLP, according to revised and modified World Health Organization diagnostic criteria.
Follow-up of the patient cohort was started 6 months after OLP diagnosis with a mean follow-up of 81.7 months.
They found that:-
- Eight of the 327 patients developed an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in OLP areas (0.36%/y). A high overall standardized incidence ratio of 17.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.8-35.3).
- The standardized incidence ratio for OSCC was significantly higher in women [27.0 (95% CI 11.2-64.8)] than in men [11.2 (95% CI 3.6-34.9)].
- Six OSCCs were well differentiated (75%) and 2 moderately differentiated (25%).
- Three subjects (37.5%) developed a OSCC recurrence within 2 years (mean 16.1 ± 3.5 months).
They concluded
OLP was associated with a significant increase in the risk for OSCC. Close surveillance may help to reduce the morbidity of OSCC arising from OLP at 24 months.
Bombeccari GP, Guzzi G, Tettamanti M, Giannì AB, Baj A, Pallotti F, Spadari F. Oral lichen planus and malignant transformation: a longitudinal cohort study.Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011 Jul 20. [Epub ahead ofprint] PubMed PMID: 21782485.
