Marjolin's Ulcer

Sequelae of Mismanaged Chronic Cutaneous Ulcers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 

This study was to evaluate the current pattern and risk factors of Marjolin's ulcer in the authors' setting.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: 

Twenty-one patients with histological diagnosis of skin malignancy at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

METHODS: 

Presented are patients with histologic diagnosis of Marjolin's seen in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria from January 2007 through December 2007.

RESULTS: 

Five patients (3 men and 2 women) with Marjolin's ulcer whose ages ranged from 32 to 70 years (mean 46.6 years) accounted for 45.5% of squamous cell carcinoma. All the patients suffered traumatic injuries (4 lower limb injuries from road traffic accidents and 1 puncture wound of the upper limb) and the latency was 21.4 years.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Chronic trauma-induced limb ulceration is the leading risk factor for Marjolin's ulcer. Health education, early detection, and proper management of chronic wounds would improve outcome.