Three distinct cutaneous malignancies arising in a post-burn scar

Abstract

Introduction. Prior clinical observations suggest an increased risk of carcinogenesis within a post-burn scar. The most common type of a neoplasm observed in such cases is squamous cell carcinoma, followed by basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and sarcomas. Cases of coexistence of different neoplasms developing within one burn scar have rarely been reported in international literature. Objective. To present a patient affected by three independent skin neoplasms that developed within a post-burn scar. Case report. A 77-year-old man, who sustained an extensive burn of the head and upper extremities in childhood, was admitted to the Department of Dermatology to undergo a diagnostic examination of two scalp skin tumours developing within the post-burn scar. Three months earlier right cheek melanoma was excised. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma and basosquamous carcinoma. Conclusions. This case may confirm the carcinogenicity of burn scars, and indicates the necessity of long-term monitoring of patients with such lesions.