Two siblings with lichen planus and squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus

Abstract

Lichen planus is a mucocutaneous disease which can also affect the oesophagus. Unlike in oral lichen planus an increased risk for the development of squamous cell carcinoma in the oesophagus has not been established. We describe two sisters with a history of long-standing cutaneous lichen planus who developed oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, diagnosed at the ages of 68 and 70 years, respectively. In one of the cases, dysplastic areas were identified by high-magnification chromoendoscopy. In both cases, oesophageal resection was carried out with a curative intent. For the first time these sibling case reports suggest an increased precancerous potential of oesophageal lichen planus.