Cancers arising from burn scars. A literature review and report of twenty-one cases.

A review of the literature and a combined burn center study of the University of Beijing and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center looking at cancer arising from old burn injuries are reported. This study indicates that of the 21 patients 76% were male, with an age range from 15 to 67 years. The lag period for all cancers ranged from 8 months to 60 years. The distribution of the cancer was greatest in the extremities, with 71%, followed by the scalp, with 14%. Forty-three percent of the patients were treated by excision and skin grafting. Twenty-nine percent were treated by amputation, 24% had radiation therapy, and 5% received no treatment. Of the 76% who were followed up to 8 years, no deaths were reported.