Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva in association with mixed vulvar dystrophy. A brief report with review of literature.

Of the 74 patients of vulvar lichen sclerosus diagnosed over a period of 29 years from 1966-1995, two cases of mixed dystrophies characterised by lichen sclerosus with squamous cell hyperplasia were studied and one of these on close follow-up, developed an invasive squamous cell carcinoma after three years. The other case has been doing well and has not shown further progression of the lesion. The remaining 72 patients of vulvar lichen sclerosus alone have shown no signification change on close follow-up for a minimum of five years. This paper highlights the fact that all cases of vulvar dystrophy especially, lichen sclerosus must be regularly followed up for development of squamous cell hyperplasia and their progression to overt vulvar carcinoma, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and treatment of non-neoplastic vulvar dystrophies.