Chromoblastomycosis Leading to Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Chromoblastomycosis is a neglected tropical skin disease acquired through traumatic inoculation of dematiaceous fungi. It is characterized clinically by a chronic granulomatous infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Delays in diagnosis and limited access to antifungal therapy contribute to prolonged disease, recurrent inflammation, and debilitating sequelae. A rare but devastating complication is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) associated with long-standing lesions, which may necessitate extensive surgery or amputation and can be fatal. In this review, we summarize reported epidemiology and clinical risk factors for SCC complicating chromoblastomycosis. We also discuss plausible inflammatory mechanisms of malignant transformation and propose pragmatic clinical and public health interventions, including decentralized microscopy-based diagnosis, timely antifungal access, and biopsy-triggered surveillance of chronically inflamed lesions, to reduce preventable morbidity.

Abstract from PubMed