title: Ten years of experience in chronic ulcers and malignant transformation.
abstract: Malignant degeneration of wounds is rare and often misdiagnosed. Delay in diagnosis may result in a worse prognosis. The aim of this study is to determine the number of skin cancers associated with chronic skin ulcers in our facility over a period of 10 years. Between January 2002 and December 2012, a total of about 1000 patients had consulted with us for chronic wounds, especially of vascular, diabetic and traumatic origin and pressure ulcers. Thirteen skin cancers had been detected: seven squamous cell and five basal cell carcinomas and one melanoma. We highlight how important it is to be aware of the signs suggesting a malignant change and the importance of biopsy at regular intervals during the life cycle of any chronic wound.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Rome "Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Onesti
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Rome "Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fino
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Rome "Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fioramonti
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Rome "Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Amorosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Rome "Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scuderi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Chronic wound; Malignant transformation; Marjolin's ulcer; Squamous cell carcinoma