Squamous cell carcinoma in chronic lymphedema: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in chronic lymphedema is rare; only nine cases have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To present the evolution of SCC in chronic lymphedema.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


RESULTS
The tumor was treated by wide excision and covered by a skin graft.


CONCLUSIONS
In most of the other reported SCC cases in lymphedema, there are additional factors for carcinogenesis. There is no additional carcinogenic factor except for chronic lymphedema in our case. This strongly supports that lymphedema itself is one of the carcinogenic factors for not only angiosarcoma but also SCC.
Furukawa
Hiroshi
H
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hokkaido University, School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. furufuru@beach.ocn.ne.jp
Yamamoto
Yuhei
Y
Minakawa
Hidehiko
H
Sugihara
Tsuneki
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery