Squamous cell carcinoma derived from chronic chromoblastomycosis in Brazil

Abstract

Background. Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic fungal infection caused mainly by the melanized fungi Fonsecaea species. The chronic lesions may be predisposed to develop into cancer, the most serious complication of the disease. Methods. In this report, 7 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) resulting from chronic CBM in patients from Maranhão in the Brazilian Amazon are described. Results. The 7 patients presented with SCC that resulted from chronic CBM, caused by Fonsecaea species >10 years' duration. The malignant lesions occurred independent of the antifungal therapy and all patients underwent curative amputation, except for 1 patient who developed metastases in the inguinal and intra-abdominal lymph nodes and thigh muscles. A majority of previous reports have focused on the malignant transformation of CBM described in only 1 patient each. This is a first report describing a group of patients from a single Brazilian state. Conclusions. Here, we provide new epidemiologic data on malignant CBM lesions, an endemic disease that is seemingly neglected worldwide. We reinforce the idea that typically chronic lesions may be predisposed to turn malignant.