Malignant melanoma arising within a burn scar - Case report and review of the literature

Burn scar carcinomas, also called Marjolin's ulcers, are uncommon tumors th at arise from an antecedent burn. Most burn scar carcinomas are diagnosed a bout 30 years after the burn, and most are well-differentiated squamous cel l carcinomas. We report a case in which a squamous cell carcinoma developed within a burn scar on the cheek and then a malignant melanoma arose within the burn scar after the squamous cell carcinoma had been excised. We also review the available literature on burn scar carcinoma, covering the demogr aphics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease. G iven the multifocality of this disease process, we advocate aggressive rese ction of the entire burn scar, as well as the tumor, to prevent the develop ment of further cancers within the wound.