Mycetoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Ethiopia: Case Report

Feleke Tilahun Zewdu and Saba M Lambert

Department of Dermatology, Boru Meda General Hospital, Ethiopia Department of Dermatology, Leprosy Clinic, Ethiopia

^*Correspondance to: Feleke Tilahun Zewdu 

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Abstract:

Background: Mycetoma is a chronic suppurative infectious disease of the subcutaneous tissue affecting skin, muscle and bone, with high morbidity. It is characterized by nodules and sinus tracts that discharge watery fluid or pus containing grains, although, it is a common infection in the “mycetoma belt”, which includes Ethiopia, there are no published cases mycetoma in Ethiopia despite cases having been reported in Ethiopians living in Israel. Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer, at times arising from chronic wounds, but rarely reported to arise in tissue affected by deep fungal infection. Case Report: A 43 year old male patient presented with bilateral lesions on the lower extremities. The lesions began11 years earlier as a solitary, painless, firm sub-cutaneous lesion, draining hard pea-sized matter with pus. The patient was treated for mycetoma for 2 years with no marked improvement, until a biopsy finally confirmed squamous cells carcinoma. Conclusion: Despite, mycetoma being present in Ethiopia, it is not reported. This could be due to under-diagnosed and poor /unsupported reporting formats of the health management information system. Squamous cell carcinoma should be suspect if there is no/poor response to treatment.

Keywords:

Mycetoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Ethiopia

Cite the Article:

Zewdu FT, Lambert SM. Mycetoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Ethiopia: Case Report. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2021; 6: 1958..