Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Extremity

Abstract

Chronic ulcers affecting the extremities have diverse etiology. These ulcers are more common in the lower extremity than in the upper extremity. The prevalence of lower extremity ulcers ranges from 0.18% to 2% but increases to 5% in patients older than 65 years [1]. Some of the common extremity ulcers include diabetic foot ulcers, ulcers of chronic venous disease, ischemic ulcers, chronic infections such as tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases, and malignant ulcers. Of the various types of ulcers mentioned above, malignant ulcers are relatively uncommon. These ulcers can be either primary or result from malignant transformation in a chronic ulcer. The prevalence of malignancy in chronic leg ulcers ranges from 2.0% to 4%. Squamous cell cancer (SCC) and basal cell cancer (BCC) are the most common ulcerating skin tumors.