Malignant Transformation of Nonhealing Ulcer-Basal Cell Carcinoma.

We discuss the rare case of a 72-year-old female with a history of a nonhealing lower extremity ulcer that was biopsied, revealing malignant transformation to basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Although BCC is the most common malignancy worldwide, malignant transformation of nonhealing wounds is more often associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Current literature estimates the rate of BCC arising from venous stasis ulcer to occur between 1.

The role of amputation as an outcome measure in cellular therapy for critical limb ischemia: implications for clinical trial design.

Background: Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells have been ascribed an important therapeutic role in No-Option Critical limb Ischemia (NO-CLI). One primary endpoint for evaluating NO-CLI therapy is major amputation (AMP), which is usually combined with mortality for AMP-free survival (AFS). Only a trial which is double blinded can eliminate physician and patient bias as to the timing and reason for AMP.