title: Oral mucosal disease: Lichen planus.
abstract: Lichen planus (LP) is a common disorder in which auto-cytotoxic T lymphocytes trigger apoptosis of epithelial cells leading to chronic inflammation. Oral LP (OLP) can be a source of severe morbidity and has a small potential to be malignant. The diagnosis of OLP can be made from the clinical features if they are sufficiently characteristic, particularly if typical skin or other lesions are present, but biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude dysplasia and malignancy. OLP is treated with anti-inflammatory agents, mainly the topical corticosteroids, but newer agents and techniques are becoming available.
authors.affiliation: University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, UK. cscully@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Crispian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrozzo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery