title: [Squamous cell carcinoma in neuropathic plantar ulcers in leprosy: another example of Marjolin's ulcer].
abstract: Seven cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers of leprosy are described. These patients (average age 59 years) presented over a 5-year period. The mean duration of neuropathic ulceration until diagnosis of SCC was 24.5 years. Six patients required limb amputations and 3 underwent lymphadenectomy for involved nodes. One patient died of disseminated disease. The history of the eponym "Marjolin's ulcer' is traced and a case put forward for recognition of malignant change in neuropathic ulcers as yet another example of Marjolin's ulcer. A plea is made for an increased awareness of the possibility of malignant transformation in chronic neuropathic ulcers in order to effect an early diagnosis of a potentially aggressive cancer. This is the first report of its kind in South Africa. Similar cases, however, have been reported from other parts of the world where leprosy is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Department Chirurgie, Kalafong Hospitaal on Universiteit van Pretoria.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Schoeman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013019:South Africa
vernacular_title: Plaveiselkarsinoom in neuropatiese plantare ulkusse van leprose: nog 'n voorbeeld van Marjolin se ulkus.