Basal cell carcinoma arising from surgical scars: A case and review of theliterature

BACKGROUND. Scar malignancies are generally known as Marjolin's ulcer and t he majority of them are epidermoid carcinomas. In addition to epidermoid ca rcinomas, Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) also can grow in various scars. Basal cell carcinoma cases developing in surgical scars are extremely rare; only 5 cases have been encountered in available English literature. METHOD. A 68-year-old woman who has a BCC originating from a surgical scar due to a previous inguinal hernia operation was presented. CONCLUSION. Trauma has been suggested as one of the etiologic factors for B CC; but the role of trauma or resulting scar in BCC pathogenesis is not kno wn. This unresolved issue can be explained with advanced studies revealing biochemical tissue changes occurring during wound healing and trauma.