Marjolin's ulcer and chronic burn scarring.

Marjolin's ulcer is a term used to describe squamous cell carcinomas which develop in chronic wounds. These carcinomas may also develop at the site of long-standing irritation, such as unstable burn scars. Development times for burn scar carcinomas of more than 30 years have been noted. This evaluation describes the treatment of 10 patients with burn scar carcinomas who have been treated using wide excision and closure of the defect with skin grafts or flaps, plus regional lymph node dissection if required. Results indicate a mean carcinoma development time of 26 years. Local recurrence occurred in only one patient.