A clitoral verrucous carcinoma in an area of lichen planus has aggressive features
Wiebren A A Tjalma1, Vasiliki Siozopoulou2, Manon T Huizing2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, Gynecological Oncology Unit, Antwerp University Hospital - University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, 2650, Belgium. Wiebren.Tjalma@uza.be.
Background:
Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva is extremely rare. It is a slow growing, low malignant variant of a squamous cell carcinoma with a cauliflower appearance. Women with lichen planus have an increased risk of developing vulval cancer.
Case Presentation:
A 79-year-old woman consulted for vulval itching. On clinical examination, a 3-cm large verrucous clitoral cancer in an area of lichen planus was seen. Based on her last clinical examination, the growth was estimated to be 1 cm2 per month with an invasion depth after 6 months of 5 mm. A tumor developing in an area of lichen planus appears to have more aggressive features. This is the first time that the growth of a verrucous carcinoma has been documented in an area of lichen planus.
Conclusions:
Clinicians and patients should be aware of the aggressive behavior of cancers developing in areas of lichen planus and adjust their surgical management together with the follow-up strategy.
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