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Marjolin's ulcer in patients with spinal cord injury
Ibrahim M Eltorai1, Robert E Montroy, Mark Kobayashi
1Spinal Cord Injury Center, VA Medical Center, Irvine, California, USA. eltoraihb@webtv.net
Background:
The term "Marjolin's ulcer" is now synonymous with malignant transformation, usually ectodermal and rarely mesenchymal, of chronic ulcers, sinus tracts, and burn scars.
Design:
Literature search and personal experience with 5 patients during a 30-year period in a spinal cord injury center.
Findings:
Five cases of Marjolin's ulcer diagnosed among approximately 10,000 patients indicate the rarity of the metaplasia. All cases were fatal.
Conclusions:
Chronic pressure ulcers of more than 10 years' duration should be biopsied to rule out malignancy, especially with any change in the nature of the ulcer (eg, exuberant granulation and/or bleeding).