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Marjolin ulcer

Author: Dr Fatima Junaid, medical student, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. DermNet New Zealand Editor in Chief: Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand. Copy editors: Gus Mitchell/Maria McGivern, October 2017.


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What is Marjolin ulcer?

A Marjolin ulcer is the rare development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the site of a scar or ulcer. It most commonly forms at the site of an old thermal burn scar. However, Marjolin ulcers may also form from osteomyelitic lesions and, rarely, venous ulcers, pressure sores, surgical scars, animal bites, and vaccination scars [1].

Marjolin ulcer

Who gets Marjolin ulcers?

Marjolin ulcers occur on average around 30 years after an injury to the skin that results in a scar or an ulcer (range 10–75 years) [2]. Rarely, an acute Marjolin ulcer may develop between 6 weeks and 1 year of injury. It is estimated that around 2% of thermal burns scars and 0.7% of osteomyelitic lesions develop into Marjolin ulcers [3].

Marjolin ulcer can affect people of all ages, most commonly between 40 and 60 years of age. Men are 2–3 times more likely be diagnosed with Marjolin ulcer than women [4]. All races and skin types can develop Marjolin ulcers.

The most common sites for Marjolin ulcers are the legs and feet. The ulcers can also form on the head and neck [1].

What causes Marjolin ulcer?

The exact reason why Marjolin ulcers develop is unknown. Most theories suggest that injury and scar formation lead to destruction of the local blood and lymphatic vessels, making the area an immune-privileged site. This protects the scar from anti-tumour antibodies and permits the transformation and malignant degeneration of the skin. Chronic inflammation, irritation or trauma to the area are also thought to contribute to the process [2].

What are the clinical features of Marjolin ulcer? 

Marjolin ulcer usually presents as a non-healing sore. It may steadily increase in size, have excessive granulation tissue, foul-smelling pus, bleed easily on contact, and be painful [5].

On examination, Marjolin ulcers are usually flat and indurated (hardened), with elevated margins. A less common, less aggressive type of Marjolin ulcer is slow-growing, and presents as an exophytic, papillary ulcer, which grows outward with finger-like projections [3, 6].

How is Marjolin ulcer diagnosed?

A Marjolin ulcer should be suspected when an ulcer persists for more than 3 months at the site of a scar [2].

Diagnosis is by incisional biopsy of suspicious areas of the ulcer. Cancerous change is detected on histological examination of the specimen. This may require a multidisciplinary approach, as Marjolin ulcer can be misdiagnosed as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia [7].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to assess the degree of soft tissue and bone involvement [8].

What is the differential diagnosis for Marjolin ulcer?

Differential diagnoses for Marjolin ulcer include ulcers or skin cancers resulting from other conditions. These include:

  • Recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma at the site of a previously excised carcinoma
  • Basal cell carcinoma or other cancer (eg, melanoma or sarcoma) at the site of a scar; these are sometimes called Marjolin ulcer.
  • Diabetic foot ulcer — these are often painless and surrounded by thickened skin.
  • Venous ulcer — these tend to be irregular and superficial, surrounded by hyperpigmentation due to capillary leakage.
  • Arterial ulcer — these are more painful on elevation of the foot, with punched-out borders; the patient may have cramping pain on walking.
  • Pyoderma gangrenosum — these start as a blister or pustule at the site of minor injury, and becomes painful, purulent and dusky-purple with an overhanging edge.

What is the treatment for Marjolin ulcer?

Marjolin ulcer is usually treated by wide local excision [2]. Patients with aggressive cancer may have sentinel lymph node biopsy. Lesions that involve the bone require amputation. Mohs surgery can also be undertaken, though this is uncommon due to the time, expense and expertise required [9].

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy have not been shown to be effective in treating Marjolin ulcers. However, radiotherapy may be used for palliation in cases where surgery is not possible or refused [3].

Patients diagnosed with Marjolin ulcer require long-term follow-up, at least for 3 years [10].

What is the outcome for Marjolin ulcer?

Marjolin ulcers are staged as other cutaneous SCCs, using the TNM (tumour, node, metastasis) classification system. This depends on the size of the lesion and how far it has metastasised to the lymph nodes and other organs. Prognosis depends most strongly on whether the cancer has already spread to lymph nodes [11].

Overall 3 year survival for Marjolin ulcer is 65–75%, and 10 year survival is 34%. One-quarter of patients with ulcers present that have already metastasised, for whom, 3 year survival is 35–50% [2].

Recurrence after surgery is common, at a rate of 20–30% within 3 years [2].

 

References

  1. Kerr–Valentic MA, Samimi K, Rohlen BH, Agarwal JP, Rockwell WB. Marjolin's ulcer: modern analysis of an ancient problem. Plast Reconstr Surg 2009; 123: 184–91. PubMed 
  2. Pekarek B, Buck S, Osher L. A comprehensive review on Marjolin's ulcers: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Col Certif Wound Spec 2011; 3(3): 60–4. PubMed
  3. Aydoğdu E, Yildirim S, Aköz T. Is surgery an effective and adequate treatment in advanced Marjolin's ulcer?. Burns 2005; 31: 421–31. DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2005.02.008. PubMed
  4. Cocchetto V, Magrin P, Paula RA, Aidé M, Razo LM, Pantaleão L. Squamous cell carcinoma in chronic wound: Marjolin ulcer. Dermatology Online Journal 2013; 19(2): 7 Journal
  5. Choa R, Rayatt S, Mahtani K. Marjolin’s ulcer. BMJ 2015 Aug; 351: h3997. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.h3997. PubMed
  6. Opara KO, Otene IC. Marjolin’s ulcers: a review. Nigerian Health Journal 2011; 11(4): 107–11. Journal
  7. Bozkurt M, Kapi E, Kuvat SV, Ozekinci S. Current concepts in the management of Marjolin's ulcers: outcomes from a standardized treatment protocol in 16 cases. J Burn Care Res 2010; 31(5): 776–80. DOI: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e3181eed210. PubMed
  8. Chiang KH, Chou AS, Hsu YH, Lee SK, Lee CC, Yen PS, Ling CM, Lee WH, Lin CC, Chang PY et al. Marjolin's ulcer: MR appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2006; 186: 819–20. DOI: 10.2214/AJR.04.1921. Journal
  9. Rowe DE, Carroll RJ, Day CL. Prognostic factors for local recurrence, metastasis, and survival rates in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, ear, and lip: implications for treatment modality selection. J Am Acad Dermatol 1992; 26: 976–90. Journal
  10. Yu N, Long X, Lujan-Hernandez JR, et al. Marjolin’s ulcer: a preventable malignancy arising from scars. World J Surg Oncol 2013; 11: 313. DOI: 10.1186/1477–7819–11–313. PubMed
  11. Ryan RF, Litwin MS, Krementz ET. A new concept in the management of Marjolin's ulcers. Ann Surgery 1981; 193: 598–604. Journal

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