Lichen planus was diagnosed about ten years before my squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis. My dentist was very careless in watching the developing cancer. It was only after my bugging him for two years, that he sent me to a specialist, thinking that it was only the lichen planus. But that is water under the bridge and I decided to be proactive and only look at the future. But learning from the past is very important. If you have an open wound in your mouth that does not heal in two three weeks, have it looked at. Bear in mind that only about 2% of lichen planus will turn into cancer. It is very rear. I did not have any treatment for the lichen planus because I did not have any discomfort with it. Only after the open wound did not heal I started having discomfort. I hope this helps.
Loli

Thank you so much. For me LP was extremely painful from the beginning, but no open sores. All I read about LP says "NO PAIN." But this is far from true. I wonder where this myth comes from.

Hi @jshdma, can you tell us a bit more about your experience with lichen planus -- if you're comfortable doing so of course? How did you get diagnosed? Were you diagnosed with cancer as well?

About lichen planus, my situation was similar to Loli's except that I had a very painful lesion which I think was called erosive lichen planus. In 2007 after many years of pain, I had it diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Maybe it had been that for a long time. Very rare for it to turn to cancer which is why my GP and dentist believed the LP diagnosis that the oral surgeon gave - for years. Like Loli, I regard it as water under the bridge BUT I'd hate anyone else to go through what I did. As she says, any sore that doesn't heal for 2 - 3 weeks insist that it is seen by a specialist.

Yes, mine was painful too. Had to take steroids to kill the pain while I was on an overseas trip. But initially, when it consists of a white stripy rash in your mouth, it isn't very sore - just makes certain foods sting.

Began as extremely painful sores under tongue-- came and went. Quickly diagnoses as LP. Only treatment was steroids, which i didn't want to do. It came and went a couple of times. Doc said cancer does not come and go. Eventually settled down to minor irritation, but that is still there. It changed my entire life. No spicy food (which I love), had to give up green peppers (possible trigger), which i used to eat every day. Hot liquids hurt somewhat.

Began as extremely painful sores under tongue, so I had to get some answers. Doc diagnosed pretty quickly. Not cancer, which he said was very rare. But I am quite nervous because it is still there to an extent. Interestingly, the medical books and other info always stress this is rarely painful.

Does LP ever go away?

Mine went away when the cancer was removed and I haven't had it since which makes me wonder if it really was lichen planus in the end if that makes sense. I was told it usually goes away by itself after a few years.

Yes, it does make sense. Doctors do not always have all the answers or sometimes, they have the wrong answers. But YEARS-- that's a long time. Thank you for your information.