OLP & Cancer
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I had no relief from my lichen planus for years, and was on some quite extreme treatments to try and finally kick the symptoms to the curb. I had been regularly going to a specialist clinic and had my third biopsy due to lack of response to treatment and some concerns. The results came back as squamous cell carcinoma (tongue cancer). I don’t want to post this to scare people, but more to raise awareness that despite the risk level being very low (+1% risk with OLP), being young and healthy and no other increased risk factors (alcoholism, smoker, HPV etc) OLP can turn cancerous. My treatment has been amazing and I’m feeling pretty much back to normal now all thanks to how early my cancer was caught. I had a sentinel node biopsy in my neck and a partial glossectomy (removal of part of my tongue). Had it been caught later I may have needed neck dissection, much more of my tongue removed and radiotherapy. In fact now, because the OLP and cancer has effectively been ‘removed’, I actually have less symptoms than before - I can eat semi spicy foods again without any discomfort and I’m now on no treatment for my OLP unless it reoccurs (which is a possibility of course).
Anyway please ensure to keep a close monitor on your OLP, take regular photos even to compare and highlight any concerns ASAP, it could save your life!
Please feel free to ask me anything about my experience.
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john51536 Esuma
Posted
Hi Esuma, thank you for sharing and I'm glad you are ok. I'm curious what kind of changes happened or anything different you noticed when it turned into cancer?
Esuma john51536
Posted
Hi John. I think it's difficult as my OLP has always presented more unusually. My OLP has always been a combination of red sores and white, which I've been told is more 'risky'. They biopsied two sites and whilst one was cancerous the whole area of my OLP had actually turned 'pre-cancerous' too, so very lucky it was caught at that point, but may explain the unusual appearance.
I've been told typical signs to watch for are almost 'cauliflour' type growths and lumps. I had a very small white lump which I didn't see to be honest until the biopsy. I think the important thing is to know what your own mouth looks like and how the OLP presents like to be able to catch any changes to raise with your consultant. I've also been told mouths can look slightly different day by day, so don't check daily, but more like fortnightly / monthly. And that if your condition isn't improving after treatments it may be worth a repeat biopsy - I've had three over the years!