Luo Y, Li CY, Wang YQ, Xiang SM, Zhao C. Diabetic ulcer with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A case report. World J Clin Oncol 2024; 15(12): 1514-1519 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i12.1514]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Cheng Zhao, PhD, Chief Doctor, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 230 Baoding Road, Shanghai 200082, China. chengzhao_79@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Yun Luo, Yu-Qing Wang, Sheng-Min Xiang, Cheng Zhao, Department of Vascular Surgery in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200082, China
Chen-Ying Li, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Yangpu District Xinjiangwancheng Community Healthcare Center, Shanghai 200438, China
Co-first authors: Yun Luo and Chen-Ying Li.
Co-corresponding authors: Sheng-Min Xiang and Cheng Zhao.
Author contributions: Luo Y provided medical records and asked for pathology reports; Li CY wrote the manuscript; Xiang SM and Wang YQ searched the literature; Zhao C conceived the manuscript.
Supported byShanghai Science and Technology Commission, National Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, No. 23ZR1460300; Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Medical Innovation Research Project, No. 22Y11922700; and Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, General Program, No. 202240386.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Cheng Zhao, PhD, Chief Doctor, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 230 Baoding Road, Shanghai 200082, China. chengzhao_79@163.com
Received: July 27, 2024 Revised: September 2, 2024 Accepted: September 10, 2024 Published online: December 24, 2024 Processing time: 87 Days and 6.9 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Chronic skin ulcers are a risk factor for the development of skin tumors. In patients with diabetes, chronic refractory ulcers may also contribute to higher susceptibility to skin tumors. Timely surgical removal of chronic and nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers can effectively prevent progression to squamous cell carcinoma. Such cases may be misdiagnosed owing to currently insufficient clinical evidence. However, in cases of chronic ulcer wounds, it is crucial to enhance clinical awareness regarding their potential progression into malignant lesions.
CASE SUMMARY
An 84-year-old male patient with diabetes presented with a significantly ulcerated area on his foot. The ulcer had been present to varying degrees since 1996. Between 2012 and July 2019, even after receiving treatments such as herbal medicines or heat clearance and detoxification complete healing of the wound was not achieved. In July 2020, histopathological analysis confirmed a well-differentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. After the treatments, the ulcer wound healed slowly and did not expand.
CONCLUSION
Potentially malignant lesions in chronic ulcer wounds should be identified and treated in a timely manner to prevent their progression.
Core Tip: Chronic skin ulcers are considered a risk factor for developing skin tumors. In people with diabetes, chronic refractory ulcers may also increase susceptibility to skin tumors. From a clinical perspective, raising awareness of their potential progression to malignant lesions is essential.
