Carcinoma in chronic pressure sores: a fulminant disease process

Four cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising from chronic pressure sores in paraplegic and tetraplegic patients are presented and the literature reviewed. These pressure-sore carcinomas are characterized by a shorter latency period and a fulminant clinical course with a very high metastatic rate. Very aggressive treatment including even hemicorporectomy must be considered if a cure is to be achieved.