Skin Health and Disease (Apr 2023)

Genital lichen sclerosus and melanoma; a systematic review

  • Sharmaine J. Y. Sim,
  • Katherine Dear,
  • Evanthia Mastoraki,
  • Mariel James,
  • Aiman Haider,
  • Peter Ellery,
  • Alex Freeman,
  • Hussain M. Alnajjar,
  • Asif Muneer,
  • Richard Watchorn,
  • Georgios Kravvas,
  • Christopher B. Bunker

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.198
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 2
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Background Lichen sclerosus (LSc) is a chronic, inflammatory, destructive skin disease with a predilection for the genitalia (GLSc). An association with vulval (Vu) and penile (Pe) squamous carcinoma (SCC) is now well established but melanoma (MM) has only rarely been reported complicating GLSc. Methods We have performed a systematic literature review of GLSc in patients with genital melanoma (GMM). Only articles that mentioned both GMM and LSc affecting either the penis or vulva were included. Results Twelve studies with a total of 20 patients were included. Our review shows that an association of GLSc with GMM has been more frequently reported in women and female children than men viz, 17 cases compared with three. It is notable that five of the cases (27.8%) concerned female children aged under twelve. Discussion These data suggest a rare association between GLSc and GMM. If proven, there arise intriguing questions about pathogenesis and consequences for counselling of patients and follow‐up.