Marjolin's ulcer

Marjolin's ulcer is a type of skin cancer that develops in areas of the skin that have been previously damaged or scarred. It is named after the French surgeon Jean-Nicolas Marjolin, who first described the condition in the 19th century.

History

The condition was first described by Jean-Nicolas Marjolin in the 19th century. Marjolin was a French surgeon who noticed that some patients developed cancer in areas of the skin that had been previously damaged or scarred.

Causes

Marjolin's ulcer is caused by the transformation of a long-standing wound, burn scar, or other chronic skin condition into a malignant (cancerous) lesion. This process is known as malignant transformation.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Marjolin's ulcer can vary, but often include a non-healing wound or ulcer, pain, bleeding, and sometimes a foul-smelling discharge. The ulcer may also increase in size over time.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Marjolin's ulcer is usually made by a biopsy of the affected skin. This involves removing a small sample of tissue and examining it under a microscope to look for cancer cells.

Treatment

The treatment for Marjolin's ulcer typically involves surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. In some cases, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may also be used.

Prognosis

The prognosis for Marjolin's ulcer depends on a number of factors, including the size and location of the ulcer, the type of cancer, and the patient's overall health.

See also

• Skin cancer
• Malignant transformation
• Jean-Nicolas Marjolin

Marjolin's ulcer Resources
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