Retroauricular squamous cell carcinoma developing on a burn scar: Marjolin's ulcer a case report and review of the literature

Introduction and importance: Marjolin's ulcer is a cutaneous malignancy that arises in the setting of previously injured skin. The predominant histological type remains squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this article was to discuss, through our case, clinical and anatomopathological features of Marjolin's ulcer as well as its treatment options and prognosis. Our case is accompanied by a comprehensive review of the literature. Case presentation: We report a case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that developed after fourty years of a burn. A histopathological examination of the ulcer concluded that it is a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient underwent surgical excision of the tumor with latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction and lymph node dissection, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. After six months, a flap weaning was carried out with good functional progress. Our work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria. Clinical discussion: Marjolin's ulcer has a relatively low incidence and often occurs as a rare complication of chronic wounds, burn scars, or other types of tissue damage. It should be suspected in the presence of delayed healing of a wound that becomes exuding and malodorous. To date there is no consensus on the therapeutic management of Marjolin's ulcer. According to data literature, surgical intervention stands as the primary therapeutic modality. Conclusion: Marjolin's ulcer is a rare but aggressive malignancy that can arise decades after skin injury, as illustrated by our case. The delayed onset and potential for late diagnosis emphasize the need for vigilance in chronic wound follow-up.