Melanoma in a long-standing lesion of chromoblastomycosis.

BACKGROUND

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic cutaneous fungal infection where the presence of fibrous scars and continuous inflammation might be the propitious condition for the development of malignant neoplasms.

METHODS

We report a case of cutaneous melanoma arising on a leg of a man that had been affected by extensive chromoblastomycosis for more than 30 years.

RESULTS

A 70-year-old white man presented with an irregularly pigmented lesion over an area of fibrosis and verrucous lesions, previously diagnosed as chromoblastomycosis, on his left ankle. Histological examination showed an acral lentiginous melanoma, Clark level IV, thickness of 2.3 mm. Follow-up for 7 years showed no signs of recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between malignancy and chromoblastomycosis is very uncommon, but medical staff who deal with this disease should be attentive to this possibility, as early detection of these neoplasms will provide an adequate treatment, improving survival and quality of life for those patients.