Advanced squamous cell carcinoma arising in a laparostomy site

Abstract

Chronic wounds occur as a result of a disordered healing process. They can be associated with complications such as chronic pain and infection, but also rarely lead to malignant transformation. There have been few cases of squamous cell carcinomas arising in a surgical wound. We present the case of a 67-year-old patient who developed an advanced invasive squamous cell carcinoma seven years post laparostomy for abdominal compartment syndrome. Surgical resection was not possible due to the advanced stage of the malignancy. This case highlights the importance of good wound care, suspecting malignant development in a non-healing chronic surgical wound site, and the importance of using histological analysis to inform surgery when involving a chronic wound.