[Epitheliomatous degeneration of chronic leg ulcers. Apropos of 9 cases].

The authors report nine cases of epithelioma occurring 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 approximately is of 0,3 p. 100. It always concerns aged caucasian subjects (about 70 years old) and the evolution lats long (5/20 years), except in one of the cases. The first symptoms are hard, bleeding and exuberant granulations 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.