Identification of putative laryngeal and pharyngeal lichen planus lesions: an endoscopic preliminary evaluation in 16 patients

Lichen planus is a very common autoimmune inflammatory disease, affecting 1-3% of general population Its oral form - also known as Oral Lichen Planus - is the most common, with a prevalence between 1% and 2% in the general population. LP lesions were discovered in the esophagus in OLP patients. The malignant transformation risk of those lesions is currently unknown, but it can be equivalent to oral lesions - approximately 1-3%. Our study points towards the presence of pharyngolaryngeal lichenoid lesions with unknown neoplastic potential The clinical value of a complete, periodical, upper aerodigestive tract evaluation in lichen planus patients needs to be specifically evaluated.