SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE SKIN ASSOCIATED WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS

BACKGROUND. The coexistence of systemic sclerosis and cancer has been recognized with increasing frequency. However, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin associated with systemic sclerosis is relatively rare. OB JECTIVE. The mechanisms of malignancy in systemic sclerosis are discus sed. METHODS. An 18-year-old girl with progressive systemic sclerosis is described.RESULTS. The patient had developed squamous cell carcinom a of the skin on the sclerosed skin of her left leg requiring amputati on. The tumor recurred on the distal end of the stump. Local radiother apy was unsuccessful. CONCLUSION. This report suggests that sclerosis of the skin may manifest a greater risk of developing skin cancers unr elated to chronic injury or scarring of the skin. (C) 1998 by the Amer ican Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.