Squamous cell carcinoma arising in chronic osteomyelitis.
Analysis of three cases and a review of the recent literature on squamous cell carcinoma arising in osteomyelitis confirm that this is an uncommon condition which may run a less benign course than was earlier believed. The disease affects chiefly middle-aged and older men, usually involves the lower extremity and most often occurs in the tibia. Development of a malignant tumour is heralded by increased pain and foul-smelling drainage in the presence of a fungating ulcer. Increased bone destruction is seen on the roentgenograms. A consistent finding is the long duration of infection but the authors stress that sinus drainage of long duration is not essential: the carcinoma can arise in scar overlying quiescent osteomyelitis as is occasionally seen in burn scars. Amputation is the treatment of choice.
D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery