Occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in an area of lichen simplex chronicus: case report and pathogenetic hypothesis

Lichen simplex chronicus is a common skin disorder characterized by circumscribed, lichenified, pruritic plaque secondary to local repetitive trauma, notably rubbing and scratching.

We describe a case of a squamous cell carcinoma arising in a patient with a long-lasting history of lichen simplex chronicus and discuss the potential role of the microenvironment in predisposing the malignant transformation.

Here we propose a hypothesis in which rubbing and scratching contribute to an excess of inflammatory mediators, which in turn may lead to alterations in the processes of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.