Generalized lichen ruber planus--induced by radiotherapy of the breast?

BACKGROUND

Lichen ruber planus is an inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. The etiology is unknown.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A 56-year-old female was treated with standard local radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery due to high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

RESULTS

During radiotherapy, the patient began to complain about increasing disseminated itching papules of the breast. The efflorescences appeared as flat-topped, solid, purplish papules spreading to the limbs and trunk. A thorough clinical examination revealed additionally suspicious cob-web like and white-coated mucosal lesions of the oral cavity consistent with the clinical diagnosis of a generalized lichen ruber planus with an oral manifestation.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a generalized manifestation of lichen ruber planus presumably induced by radiation therapy.