Histoire naturelle et transformation maligne du lichen plan buccal. 1ère partie : mise au point.

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory dysimmune mucocutaneous disease. Oral lichen planus, which progresses in relapses, is a common complaint that can affect the entire oral mucosa. Once it has evolved over a number of years, the mucosa becomes (sclero-) atrophic. The (sclero-) atrophic or post-lichen stage has been associated with a risk of malignant transformation. To understand the process whereby oral lichen planus becomes malignant, it is necessary to be familiar with the different clinical and histopathological characteristics related to its natural history. During the late phase (atrophic lichen planus and post-lichen stage), the modified oral mucosa shows signs of becoming malignant. However, the possibility of it progressing in this way has long been controversial. A review of the literature addressing this topic enabled the various suggested pathogenic hypotheses to be assessed but the determining factor seems to be chronic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]