The edition · Dermatology
Lichen planus linked to sevenfold oral cancer rates
A Danish cohort of 35,845 patients links lichen planus to site-matched oral and genital cancers; psoriasis biologics in pregnancy show no excess harm; and a family sun-safety programme for melanoma survivors' children missed its main goal.
The edition in brief
A Danish register cohort of 35,845 people with lichen planus found markedly raised rates of oral cavity (SIR 7.5 in women), tongue, lip and vulvar cancer compared with the general population, with the highest risks at the site of the lichen planus itself; absolute 20-year risks stayed around 1% or below for each site. An updated JAAD review summarises systemic therapy choices for psoriasis in pregnancy, children, hepatitis, HIV, latent tuberculosis and difficult phenotypes. A retrospective cohort of 2,464 pregnancies in women with psoriasis found biologic exposure was not associated with more adverse pregnancy outcomes than in unexposed women with psoriasis (24.1% vs 30.0%). A randomised trial of 364 melanoma survivors and their children found a telehealth family sun-protection programme improved sun-protective behaviour but did not reduce sunburn over time.
Choosing psoriasis systemics for pregnancy, children and chronic infection
Before any psoriasis systemic, screen for latent infection and ask about pregnancy plans; then match the agent to the phenotype.
Biologics in pregnancy for psoriasis: no excess adverse outcomes
For women with psoriasis planning pregnancy, these data offer reassurance about biologic exposure, particularly with TNF-α inhibitors.
A family sun-safety programme changed habits but not sunburns
Give sun-protection advice to melanoma survivors' children directly and repeatedly; one education package did not reduce sunburn.
Biopsy the oral lesion that stops behaving like lichen planus
A lichen planus lesion that changes character needs a biopsy, not another steroid course.
Lichen planus and site-matched cancer: examine the mouth and the genitals
Build oral and genital examination into long-term follow-up of lichen planus, with closest attention to the site that is affected.
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