VULVAR LICHEN SCLEROSUS – A REVIEW OF 208 CASES

• Autor(a) principal: Torres, Ermelindo
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Parente, Joana, Almeida, J. C., Teixeira, José, Martins, César, Aranha, João
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.70.1.41

Introduction: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease that preferentially affects the anogenital region and postmenopausal Caucasian women. Aims: Retrospective characterization of patients with vulvar LS diagnosed and treated at our Department (Vulvar Pathology Consultation), between 1986 and 2004. Material and Methods: A total of 208 Caucasians women were included in the study. We consulted clinical charts and performed statistical analysis of the following variables: age, location, clinical signs and symptoms, association with other disea- ses, treatment modalities, follow-up and complications. Results: The mean duration of LS was 6.3 years. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.6 years. The mean age at development of symptoms was 53 years. One hundred and eighty-two (87.5%) patients were in the postmenopausal period. Pruritus was the predominant symptom (90.9%). Only 39 (18.8%) patients did not developed vulvar atrophy. One hundred and forty-two (68.2%) had not narrowing of the vaginal in- troitus. Histological examination confirmed LS in 185 cases (93.9%) and it was compatible with LS in the remaining 12 (6.1%). Topical testosterone propionate (TP) was used in 88 (42.3%) cases, topical corticosteroids in 24 (11.5%) and both in 76 (36.6%). The mean follow-up was 9.5 years. Nine (4.3%) women developed vulvar SCC and the mean age at diagnosis was 68.2 years. Conclusions: LS prevailed in post-menopausal women. Vulvar pruritus and atrophy were the main clinical findings. Most cases were confirmed by histology. Topical TP was the most commonly used therapy. Malignancy occurred in nine cases.KEYWORDS – Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus; Testosterone Propionate; Glucocorticoids; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell.