A Retrospective Study of 95 Women With a Clinical Diagnosis of Genital Lichen Planus

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate clinical features, histopathology, treatment regimen, and follow-up in 95 patients with genital lichen planus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 95 women diagnosed with genital lichen planus and visiting the vulvar clinic at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. RESULTS: All patients were symptomatic, most often complaining of vulvar soreness and burning (31.6%). Of all women, 34% had persistent symptoms for more than 5 years. On physical examination, 81.1% showed sharply demarcated erythematous lesions, usually located at the vestibule, and 56.8% had oral lesions. Treatment usually consisted of potent topical corticosteroids. Seventeen women (17.9%) were referred to the gynecology department for additional surgical treatment. In two of them, a vulvar squamous cell carcinoma was detected, followed by radical surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In cases with vulvar soreness and burning, sharply demarcated erythematous vulvar lesions, and the concomitant presence of oral lesions, the diagnosis of lichen planus should be considered and treatment must be initiated accordingly, even when histopathology is discordant.