Vulva — Lichen Sclerosus
Relationship to Carcinoma

In the early part of this century, the common wisdom suggested that there was a strong relationship between the presence of lichen sclerosus and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. It was felt that if left untreated, almost all patients with this problem would ultimately develop an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. More recent studies have proven this premise to be completely false. In fact, the risk of a woman with lichen sclerosus developing invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is extremely small, varying between 2 and 5%. In our own experience, we have seen only three patients in over 200 women with lichen sclerosus develop invasive squamous cell carcinoma over a period of 5 to more than 20 years. Invariably, the patient who did develop squamous cell carcinoma was the one who was negligent regarding therapy and continued to have pruritus with associated scratching.

 INDEX

INTRODUCTION
Childhood LS FPX Thumbnail of Childhood Lichen Sclerosus - Click Hyperlink to Enlarge
Early LS FPX Thumbnail of Early Adult Lichen Sclerosus - Click Hyperlink to Enlarge
Advanced LSFPX Thumbnail of Advanced Adult Lichen Sclerosus - Click Hyperlink to Enlarge
 

CLINICAL

HISTOPATHOLOGY
"Classic" LS  FPX Thumbnail of Lichen Sclerosus Histology - Click Hyperlink to Enlarge

RELATIONSHIP
TO CARCINOMA
 

TREATMENT
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