Malignant degeneration of pilonidal disease in an immunosuppressed patient: report of a case and review of the literature.

PURPOSE

This report was designed to discuss the case of a patient taking immunosuppression after transplant who developed squamous-cell carcinoma in a chronic pilonidal cyst and to examine the reported literature on malignant degeneration of pilonidal disease.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature review and examined the medical record of a patient taking immunosuppressive medications after renal transplant who developed squamous-cell carcinoma in a chronic pilonidal cyst located at the superior gluteal cleft.

CONCLUSIONS

Pilonidal disease is a common condition, and it is important to know that malignancy can arise when the disease is chronic. Immunosuppression and human papillomavirus infection may be predisposing factors to malignant degeneration of pilonidal cysts and may accelerate the transformation.