Occult squamous cell carcinoma within lichenoid dermatitis: three examples of cryptic cancer detection.

Lichenoid dermatitis can be a perplexing entity encompassing an array of cutaneous disorders. Two hundred forty-three (243) cases of otherwise unclassifiable lichenoid dermatitis were examined histologically employing a special cytokeratin stain. Occult squamous cell carcinoma was detected in three of the 243 cases, uncovered by special immunohistochemistry staining within histologic specimens of lichenoid dermatitis. We recommend staining for cutaneous cancer becoming a routine practice in evaluating cutaneous lichenoid dermatitis.