Acute development of invasive squamous cell carcinoma in a split-thickness skin graft donor site

Reports exist in the literature where metastasis or inadvertent operative spread has transferred excised squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, and melanoma to skin graft donor sites. This report examines the potential for the reverse to occur. A de novo squamous cell carcinoma developing in a split-thickness skin graft donor site within 5 weeks of harvest for acute burn coverage is presented. As repeated harvesting from this site was performed, the transplantation of carcinoma could have occurred. The etiology of this squamous cell carcinoma, the risk of transplantation, and the 18-month follow-up are presented.