Dermatology · 2009 · 18 citations · 0 references
MedicineDermatologySurgeryDermatologic SurgeryMetastasisSurgical OncologyBiopsy TechniquesCutaneous NeoplasmsEpidermolysis BullosaNeoplastic Skin LesionsSkin TumorsSquamous Cell CarcinomaAutologous Skin GraftsAutologous Skin SubstitutesCutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma SurgeryDystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaEpidermolysis Bullosa SyndromesSkin GraftsSquamous Cell Carcinoma HistopathologySquamous Cell Carcinoma Pathology
A 46-year-old patient suffering from Hallopeau-Siemens type epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica presented a large squamous-cell carcinoma of the left hand. No metastases were observed. The tumour was resected and the phalanxes were amputated. The wound was covered with autologous skin grafts. Squamous-cell carcinoma is extremely aggressive in these patients and surgery is the only effective therapy. This life-threatening complication should always be kept in mind and a biopsy taken of every chronic, non-healing ulceration and of each atypical lesion.