Lichen sclerosus is a relatively common chronic inflammatory skin disease that predominantly affects the anogenital area. Accumulating evide...

Localized scleroderma (LS) or morphea denotes a spectrum of disorders characterized by hardening and thickening of different levels of the dermis, subcutis, and sometimes underlying soft tissue and bone. Localized scleroderma has been classified into plaque, generalized, bullous, linear including scleroderma en coup de sabre, and deep forms such as morphea profunda.¹ Hence, the clinical spectrum of LS ranges from discrete, circumscribed sclerotic plaques of cosmetic importance only to more severe variants that may have devastating effects, such as growth retardation, muscle atrophy, flexion contractures, and psychological disability. The etiology of LS remains unknown, but autoimmune, genetic, infectious, and environmental factors have been implicated.

Like cervical cancer, anal cancer is causally linked to persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types such as HPV-16 or HPV-18.^1-3 In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), anal HPV prevalence is approximately 90%, and infections with multiple HPV types are common.^4-6 Consequently, HIV-positive MSM have a strongly increased risk for anal cancer and its precursor, anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN). Despite highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence and prevalence of AIN and anal cancer have not decreased in HIV-positive MSM.^6-8 In a recent study, 52% of HIV-positive men presented with advanced AIN.⁶