[Epithelioma occurring on chronic leg ulcers (author's transl)].

The authors report nine cases of epithelioma occuring on chronic leg ulcers of venous origin (6), or on fistula from chronic osteitis (3). Compared with the other trophic leg ulcers observed during the same period, the risk of malignant change approximatly is of 0,3 p. 100. It always concerns aged caucasian subjects (about 70 years old) and the evolution last long (5/20 years), except in one of the case. The first symptoms are hard, bleeding and exuberant granulation either on the edge of the ulcer, or on the ulcer itself. It is often necessary to repeat the biopsies to obtain histological corroboration of the diagnosis. Prognosis is severe (2 lung metastasis) and amputation seems to be the best treatment.